Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I want to recognise, insofar as any person not directly affected by war can recognise, the horror and the pain of the loss of family, of friends and of a home; it is your life literally disappearing in front of your very eyes. It is important to say that is the context in which we speak. The challenge facing Ukraine, Europe and Ireland is unprecedented, and that is the right word to use. When we discuss issues in this House it is important that we look at the bigger picture, but equally we must look at the detail. There are difficult, complicated, intractable, awkward issues that need to be managed. We must look at the impact not only on those seeking protection but also on communities where those seeking shelter find a temporary home. It is a huge logistical operation but it is the role of the Government to manage even unprecedented situations.

Our response, while good in some ways, has not been well co-ordinated. I have seen examples of good policy but have equally seen examples of questionable or poor decision-making. I am very clear we should never let the perfect be the enemy of the good but some of what is happening is not good. Looking at accommodation, we still have not caught up on all the offers people have made. I am aware of middlemen going around the country trying to source properties ahead of Government agencies and trying to cream off profits. That must be stopped. I have told accommodation owners not to deal with such individuals but when they are getting the runaround from different State actors they are tempted. My colleague Deputy Fitzmaurice put me in contact with a German company and I spoke to someone there this morning. The company is able to provide 30 units on a site in Ireland every day, five days a week. These are A-rated, fully compliant homes at approximately €100,000 for a three- or four-bedroom home. I understand virtually every country in Europe except Ireland is being supplied by this company. I am aware that nothing is simple but why is this happening? Why are we not taking every opportunity presented to us?

On the other hand, I look at one of my local communities, Rosses Point. It is a small village that largely relies on tourism where the only hotel is now housing approximately 400 Ukrainians. Overnight, tourism business is gone and the population has nearly doubled, yet there is no extra bus service despite consistent calls from the local community. This is where co-ordination is missing. All three Deputies met with business and community representatives twice to try to source some of these extra services, especially transport services. The people attending the meetings were positive. For example, the local branch of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, RNLI, wants to help out with water safety. People want to do the right thing.

Equally, they are rightly concerned about services and the future of their tourism businesses. That is why, at a national and local level, there needs to be greater co-operation and support. There is no point in saying that Irish people are decent and good. We know that is largely true. The Government, however, has a responsibility to not just pay for accommodation but to provide the extra services needed. In areas like education, for example, the schools, the teachers and the Minister have stepped up. We must see this kind of support across different sectors. Where tourism businesses are being badly affected, we need to look at some kind of compensation package where it can be demonstrated that this is the case.

What I am hearing is that liaison officers are needed for some local communities that are particularly affected, as well as for Ukrainian refugees. What I am hearing is that State support is needed for certain communities so they do not feel abandoned. I accept part of our role as Teachtaí Dála is to help out those communities, but more is needed. It is crucial that the community recognition fund is used for communities and not to provide services that the local authority should provide. We all want this to work. Every one of us knows clear information and specific supports will go a long way.

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