Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

At the international level, the Government has moved fast and has taken a leadership role.

I commend the Taoiseach, the Minister and their Cabinet colleagues on stepping up to the challenge.

Going back to the first moments of Putin's aggression against Ukraine, Ireland was clear about its responsibilities, understood its influence and urged a strong and united international response. As bad as the situation in Ukraine is, that leadership from Ireland and other member states has helped Ukraine in its efforts to resist Putin's aggression. The alternative to that response was to step aside, keep our hands clean and let his army role across the border and into Kyiv. While we struggled with the question of supplying military hardware - our neutrality and position of constructive abstention is something about which we will have to have a national debate - we did in those initial days and weeks everything we could, sincerely and diligently.

This challenge is only beginning. I spoke already in this House of my experience of being on the ferry from France with hundreds of Ukrainian refugees a few weeks ago. Despite taking a keen interest in all aspects of this crisis, it was not until I was on that ferry with those people and witnessed their tears and sadness that I felt I understand the enormity of what was unfolding.

We have responded speedily and effectively, in great contrast to our near neighbours. We have put no limit on the number of refugees who will come to our country. This decision will be no small part of an Taoiseach's legacy. When asked on British television whether he has security concerns about letting in refugees, he answered: "The humanitarian response trumps anything as far as we're concerned." That answer is a succinct expression of Ireland's approach and one of which the Taoiseach and Ireland should be proud.

My colleagues across the House have outlined many of the emerging issues. The pressures on housing, education, the social welfare system and the health system have been well articulated. Organisations on the front line of the effort are working tirelessly to ensure refugees arriving here are looked after for their immediate needs. I pay tribute to the Irish Red Cross, which is doing stellar work at the points of entry. In my constituency, the Minister will be well aware of the work of Doras Luimní. For many years that organisation has been at the coalface of efforts to integrate refugees into our community. The scale of this wave of refugees is so large that it and other organisations like it will be stretched to the limit. I urge the Minister to look at this and seek to provide resources so such organisations can carry out their vital work. Resources allocated in their direction now will be well spent, prevent further cost to the State down the line and give Ukrainian refugees the best chance of settling into Ireland.

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