Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I preface my remarks by thanking the Minister for his kind words regarding an t-iar-Theachta Dála agus an t-iar-Sheanadóir Dermot Fitzpatrick.

The thoughts of those of us in Fianna Fáil and throughout the House will be with his family, in particular his daughter Senator Mary Fitzpatrick. I imagine in the Upper House there will be plenty of time to talk about the doc and pay tribute to him.

I spent this morning in Trinity Comprehensive School meeting children from Ukraine who travelled here and the children of Ballymun and the schools that have welcomed them. I cannot tell the Minister the impact it had on me. It was heartbreaking listening to the stories they recounted. Our communities have a lot on their plate at present but they want to welcome these people and they want to be generous. I ask the Government to make sure sufficient resources are in place, that teams are in place on a regional basis to support schools and that we look to see how the qualifications of Ukrainian teachers coming to Ireland may be accredited.

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