Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

For all of what the Taoiseach has recited on his list, Esther Pugh of the Barnardos centre in Loughlinstown has told the story of what is happening on the ground and the real fear and the real stress and pressure that families are living with.

Our motion, by the way, does not state that the Government did nothing; on the contrary, we recognise the international factors. Putin is despicable and his war is despicable, but the job of this House, of the Taoiseach's Government in particular, is to protect Irish families and Irish workers in the here and now. The Taoiseach says he is concerned and determined, but there is no urgency in the response. He says the Government cannot chase this matter month to month. I am not asking it to.

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