Marc MacSharry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State. I know these answers are prepared in advance and I know much of the content already. We know what is being done at the moment but more needs to be done. A strategic approach must be taken to this. I have given examples from my constituency and I have no doubt that the Leas-Cheann Comhairle and the Minister of State can give examples from theirs. Indeed, all constituencies are feeling the same proportional impact. The Minister of State said that this is the largest humanitarian effort that Ireland has ever made. Despite the equivalent obligations on Denmark, for example, its effort is half that of ours as a proportion of the population and there is a reason for that. I hope the Leas-Cheann Comhairle will be able to facilitate me in contributing to tomorrow's debate on the overall co-ordination of these matters. It is worth noting that since 11 December, the number of Ukrainian refugees welcomed to Ireland went up by 8% but in Denmark it only went up by 0.6%, even though Denmark is much closer to Ukraine. It makes one wonder.

In addition, the Minister of State mentioned the 9% VAT rate. Its retention is an absolute imperative. All things being equal, if there was no war and so forth, there may have been a case for bringing that back up in a buoyant, post-Covid tourism market that we would have been able to look forward to but that is done now. We are going to have to support the sector with the 9% VAT rate. I am aware of the energy relief scheme and welcome it but a strategic approach must be taken to support all businesses dependent on tourism in the country. In a welcome way, we are ingratiating ourselves with the world and the European community through our efforts. However, those efforts are not being matched in other countries. We have capacity issues that ultimately, I regret to say, may force us to pause our efforts in solidarity with Ukraine. Again, I restate my hope that the Leas-Cheann Comhairle will be able to facilitate a few words from me tomorrow on that debate.

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