Richard O'Donoghue (Limerick County, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I compliment the agencies and the volunteers for the work they have done for the Ukrainian people to support women and children who are refugees coming into Ireland. Ireland is the best country in the world. When the chips are down on their own side from the lack of care of their own Government in the extra taxes it is putting on them, they still welcome people into their homes no matter what. We are known around the world for caring for people who are in need and the Ukrainian people are so lucky to have to come here to us because we are such a caring nation. I thank every single person who had anything to do with bringing people here for us to take care of.

We have gone through Covid. We were told by Government that we could not do this and we could not do that, but during Covid mountains were moved, things were done and people adapted to what was going on. What I am saying to the Government is that I am concerned with the figures coming from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. The first figure they put out was that it would cost the State €500 million. They have come out today stating it will cost €2.8 billion to help the people of Ukraine. We can help the people of Ukraine and help the Irish people if the Government listens.

The pig farmers and the agricultural contractors were here today to ask the Government to help. These are the same people who are helping every other nation and every other person, but the Government lacks the vision as to what it can do. I asked the Government last October to cap the price of diesel at €1.30 and have no taxes on it after that. That would go a long way to helping everybody in this country. These are the same people who regardless of what their own situations are put out their hands and welcome anyone who is in need. The Government should look at what I have proposed and help the people of Ireland as well.

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