Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge and commend the Government on the approach it has taken towards the Ukrainian refugees in the humanitarian crisis we are seeing. It is heartbreaking to see the images of women, children and elderly people trying to reach the border and queueing for hours in freezing conditions. I imagine when they get to the border, there is probably a sense of relief but also a sense of fear and sadness regarding what they are leaving behind and what lies ahead. While we have taken a good approach in this country, we have been very passive regarding what has happened on the ground in Poland. Will the Government send buses and planes to make sure that people who are coming to Ireland are supported in getting here and that we take as much stress as possible out of that journey for them and that we are there for them? That is a simple measure we could take. Will the Minister do that?

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