Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE) | Oireachtas source

Thirty-three Ukrainian refugees had to spend a night in Dublin Airport. It is being reported the Government is to use social media to tell Ukrainians there is no accommodation in Ireland. So much for the Ireland of a thousand welcomes. Sometimes people say to me the Government should put its own first, but the problem is precisely that the Government does put its own people first, namely, the corporate landlords, the big developers and those who are sitting on empty properties. There are enough resources in this country to house all the homeless people here and to welcome those who are fleeing war in Ukraine, Syria or elsewhere, but it requires breaking from reliance on the market and, right now, seeking to use the 50,000 properties that have been vacant for six years or more.

In respect of refugees who are attempting to flee conscription in Russia, it is estimated that somewhere between 200,000 and 700,000 people have fled the country. Does the Taoiseach not agree that all those fleeing participation in a war and fleeing conscription should be given refuge? Why would we send men back to Russia to become soldiers in Putin's army?

See this speech in context