H.E. Mr. Igor Pokojný:

I thank the Senator. We are using everything we have for accommodation. It was very difficult at the beginning. We are now using hotels and any other accommodation that is available and not in use. It is not only state property. Private property is also being used. As I mentioned, the Lex Ukrainian Bill provides for how these people should be accommodated and how to help the people who are providing the accommodation. We are using everything available. The committee will understand that we did not have time to think it over beforehand.

On the way, issues are arising which are challenging and we are resolving them. The answer is that we are using everything we have because we are a very small country. Compared to Ireland, we are 5 million people. The committee can imagine that it is really a huge influx of people.

Regarding transport and how we can secure transport, first of all, it should be noted that most of the transport is provided by the state and municipalities. This transport is safe. The other point is that usually with the transport provided for refugees, there are also some security measures taken.

I am not sure if I mentioned, for example, that people are entering even without valid documents or without visas. I am talking about the other side, people entering Slovakia. It does not mean that we are not checking all these people. If there are people who have no documentation, they are not forced to stay out of Slovakia. They are welcome in Slovakia. Nevertheless, they are going to special centres where they are provided with humanitarian aid as well as go through the registration the process. We know who is entering and we know mostly where they are going or where they are staying but at times it is difficult to say. For example, I know many Ukrainians are arriving in Ireland on flights, especially from Poland, and I was approached by some Irish friends and colleagues. Since the Slovak language and the Ukrainian language are very similar, I was asked to approach our community to ask if people had somewhere people could stay, especially during the St. Patrick's Day week because accommodation was all booked out. What I am saying is that like here and like every country where there is a huge influx of refugees, Slovakia is doing practically everything to accommodate them and it is manageable so far.