Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yes, there is no problem. I will speak if you like. I will respond to the point made about Ukrainians. It is a different issue from the one we are discussing, but I have been doing some research while I have been listening. There are approximately 90,000 Ukrainians in the South and one third of them are working. A significant number, I think it is 10,000, are in the hotel and catering industry, including in cafés and so on. They are making a significant contribution to our economy. I will ask a question in a constructive way. We need to make sure we integrate the new communities North and South as much as possible. It is difficult when they have a different language and culture and are fleeing war. How important is that to the witnesses in their work and how do they reach out and ensure increased integration and contact as best they can? It is becoming a hot issue in the South and much of it is based on misinformation. The witnesses will be aware of the words we all think of, but there is a huge antipathy, which is unwarranted and unacceptable. We have a duty to look at that in a constructive way under the North-South issue. Does the special EU programmes body have any view on that?