Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am sharing time with Deputies Berry and Tóibín.

I welcome the proposal to allow Ukrainian citizens to come to Europe and be a part of the communities as though they were EU citizens. Many Ukrainians already live among us and, indeed, play a big part in our day-to-day lives through work, sport and many of our social circles. Since March last, there has been a call on the Departments of Transport and Enterprise, Trade and Employment to allow Ukrainian heavy goods vehicle, HGV, drivers to come to Ireland on work permits. I have been told this has not been progressed because the Road Safety Authority, RSA, maintains that the Ukrainian driving licence is not recognised by Ireland as compatible. As I have pointed out previously, a number of EU countries accept the Ukrainian HGV licence as compatible with the EU licence, including Italy and Portugal to name but two.

I ask the Minister of State that no further stress or hardship be placed on those who choose Ireland as the land of the free, as they flee the atrocities being visited on them and their loved ones. Given all requirements have been lifted for visa qualification, can he ensure there is agreement on this issue from the RSA, not lame excuses arguing that the personnel in the area are no longer in the position? It is quite an outrageous response. Will the Minister of State please ensure measures can be put in place to satisfy the safety requirements and insist in the easement of accessing jobs for the people who may come here? This would be a stitch in time that would save nine, and it is a measure that can be considered now in preparation. It would allow those who wish to avail of Ireland as a means to getting their lives back on track to do so, and it might in some way distract them from the awfulness of what is happening by allowing them to avail of work and rebuild their lives here or when they return to Ukraine.

Finally, I condemn the actions of President Putin. There have been many calls during this debate, but no words befit the cruel actions being taken against the Ukrainian people that we see minute by minute on our social media feeds. Words are cheap; actions speak louder than words. Pictures of the beautiful children such as Polina will be etched on our minds forever. Every possible action must be taken to end this horror at the earliest possible opportunity. I commend and will support the motion.

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