Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I want to be associated with the remarks made and to thank both Ministers present, the officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs and all the others doing their best at this challenging time. Much more needs to be done, obviously. I thank all the families and community groups and An Garda Síochána. May I mention the town of Cathair Dún Iascaigh, which the Ukrainian ambassador is to visit very soon to meet the Ukrainians there? The Fáilte Isteach group there is dealing with different nationalities, teaching them the bit of Gaelic but also the English language, which is more important for work and school. Ms Patsy McGuirk, Ms Fidelma Nugent and others are involved in this regard. Indeed, Fr. Peter Cullen, our parish priest, has give a parochial house for this work. Sergeant Ray Moloney and Garda Jenny Gough and all the others involved as individuals must be acknowledged. There are many families offering their homes up and down the country, but I am talking about Tipperary here today.

In Fethard, down the road at the old Presentation Convent, a local group got together. There is a major initiative there supported by locals that is to house refugees. There is a café run by a Ukrainian woman in Fethard, Ms Alla Dediuk. I had coffee there many times. Ms Dediuk has spoken out and is able to relate, bring what is required and do things because she is of the refugees' nationality. She is doing tremendous work in the patisserie. All the people up and down and around must be acknowledged. Ní neart go cur le chéile. It is a matter of the spirit of the meitheal, what we are known for. Even before the NGOs, our sisters, priests and brothers went all over the world helping in Third World countries to give people faith, alms and running water. We did it and the people are now doing it again.

I thank the social welfare officers, especially Mr. Leo Coffey in Cahir. The community hall in Cahir has been made available. The people want to do anything that is asked but we need a more co-ordinated effort. The Irish Red Cross has some issues with people saying they cannot get the required support when they have refugees staying. The process must be streamlined. I am aware it is all rushed and that there is a pressurised situation.

I did not even mention the dastardly war. It is awful and sickening. The Irish must stay neutral and do what we are best at, which is helping people — ag cabhrú leis na daoine go léir and supporting them. We are known all over the world for our great peacekeepers. Members of the clergy went all over the world. NGOs have started doing so in later years. This is being done and we are noted for it. We want to continue doing it. However, we want to have the supports in place, not pious platitudes and great statements. We need plenty of support and support lines. I know these will come but they will need to come fast because the people are arriving and need to be supported.

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