Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This relates to a matter that was raised recently, namely, the need to deploy Ukrainian refugees to various locations around the country. This case has to do with Kill in County Kildare. The people of Kill have set a high standard down the years in terms of being innovative, of welcoming new people to the area and of providing the maximum amount of backup and assistance. That is still the case.

Unfortunately, there were people in attendance at a public meeting who were not from the area and who had other intentions, so I will point out the concerns of the local people. They were a little concerned about how there appeared to be a secretive move to, as it were, dump people into the area without any consultation. While it is difficult to consult everyone to the appropriate extent, a little bit of trust and dialogue with the local community is of great importance.

I strongly support the accommodation of people from war zones, as well as our international obligation to do so. That must continue. We must always recognise the difficult situations that various refugees find themselves in and have the utmost compassion for them.

In this situation and if possible, giving an indication would be important. No contracts have been signed yet and I am sure that the Department is looking around for an appropriate place to bring people. Local people are concerned about local services and the need to upgrade them in areas where extra housing is required for whatever reason. They are also concerned for local people who have been on housing lists for a number of years, albeit obviously for different reasons, and the need to accommodate them insofar as is possible. If it is deemed the right thing to do in any particular location, not only in Kill, then accommodation in the area should be brought up to a standard that is sufficient for accommodating the intended people.

The people of Kill have always welcomed others and have been anxious to help with any situation that has arisen in the county. Lest there be any misunderstanding, their attitude is one of ensuring that the best possible service is provided. They are capable of enhancing that in a way that would improve the country's reputation and, in doing so, would allow the placement of people who are in difficult situations and have nowhere else to go.

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