Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Taoiseach and the Ministers for their intervention. I particularly thank the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, for not beating around the bush about the severity of the situation being faced, the need for clear thinking about the challenges that will be presented and the responsibilities that lie on all of us in the House and throughout the country.

Echoing much of what Deputy Whitmore said, I would like to think there is a collectivity of purpose whereby all of us, regardless of what bench we sit on, are aware that people are fleeing the most awful of circumstances and require a response from all of us as legislators and those who have control over the public finances and purses to respond in kind in a manner and nature that is thorough. There is much need for a discussion not only this afternoon but on a continuous basis as this war continues to rage on. The refugee crisis stemming from it will not end quickly. We are seeing the largest displacement of people on the Continent since the Second World War.

I want to touch on a number of areas. Many of them have been raised by other speakers and will be raised during the course of the debate. This is a debate worth having on a regular basis. We need to see a clarity of updates not only to the House but to Opposition leaders and wider society as a whole. We have all been touched by the generosity of Irish people, be it in terms of raising funds for the Red Cross, offering to open up their homes, give up their holiday homes and whatever they can. I have been taken by the number of schools and others in my community that have held fundraisers and events. There are also those who have protested against this bloody war at the gates of this House or outside the embassy. There remain quite a number of questions and there is a desire for people who want to help to have clarity on this help. Those offering accommodation are asking questions that on the face of it may seem cold but it does have long-term implications.

They are asking when they might expect to receive the property back, whether they can inspect it to ensure it is maintained and that the bills are paid. They are not asking in any callous manner, but out of a duty of care to those they are opening up their properties to.

My second point is one I have raised before and relates to something I am deeply concerned about, the strategy for dealing with the pastoral requirements of the people who are coming to our country as guests. We can talk about practical needs in respect of accommodation, healthcare, school places and linguistic supports, including the clear need to train people to give them a basic level of Ukrainian and to provide access to English language courses, but I am very aware that the vast majority coming to Ireland having fled Ukraine will be in a state of trauma. In many cases, they are seeing their homes absolutely levelled. They have left behind family members who are perhaps too infirm to travel or who have taken up the cause and are fighting to defend their homeland. Over the course of the next couple of months, and possibly years, they will be receiving extremely difficult news and will be left in the dark with regard to other news. We have an absolute responsibility to ensure that pastoral counselling and linguistic support is available.

I attended an event in my own community on Sunday in the parish centre in Kilternan where a number of Ukrainians who had just arrived in the country were met by local people who just wanted to be there for them and to provide a basic introduction to our communities, rather than just our country, and not just on a short-term basis. However, there is always a need for co-ordination at the level of the Government and officialdom to ensure it is done in a proper, right and consistent manner. I will conclude on that point.

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