Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge this morning's events in the Chamber. President Zelenskyy's address was extraordinary. Leaders have addressed this Chamber previously, including John F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton, US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Nelson Mandela. This address was as powerful as, if not more powerful than, any we have heard previously given the context the address was made in. It is unbelievable that in 2022 a leader of a western democracy is appealing to the Government and Parliament of Ireland for help because of an invasion by its neighbour. I never thought we would see this day, but here we are.

I acknowledge the response of political leaders. The Ceann Comhairle's response was measured. He did us proud in how he demonstrated our solidarity with the people of Ukraine. I thank him for that. The responses of other political leaders, including that of the Taoiseach, need to be applauded. I specifically refer to what he said to the people of Ukraine who find themselves in Ireland as refugees, that "our home is your home." We have to echo that and put those words into action. With 32,000 Ukrainian refugees expected to arrive in Ireland before Easter, there is a massive task to accommodate them. It will not be an easy challenge. We need to put as many supports in place as possible to make sure that can be accommodated.

At the moment, unfortunately, despite the amazing goodwill of the people of Ireland and the voluntary efforts, we find ourselves on the back foot. As recently as yesterday in west Cork, 54 Ukrainian refugees arrived. There was a breakdown in communication between international protection accommodation services, IPAS, the volunteers, the Red Cross and everybody else, and that bus had to be redirected to Killarney. These people have had an horrific experience. Having to then deal with a diversion is not good enough. I understand the challenges and this will be difficult. We need as many resources as possible on the ground to help those incredible volunteers who are preparing emergency accommodation in places such as Clonakilty, where they are transforming the community hall into accommodation for refugees. That is not sustainable. We need to ensure proper resources and measures are in place to ensure that when that happens again, we have beds and accommodation ready to accommodate Ukrainian refugees.

Ukrainian refugees who find themselves in towns such as Bandon should have the security and knowledge that they will be able to stay there for a long time. They want to enter the workplace and to work. They want to secure an income. There is no point in trying to secure a job if they are unsure about where their future lies. They need that element of security too, which I ask for today.

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