Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Government has consistently reiterated Ireland's legal obligations under international and European law to asylum seekers and those fleeing persecution. Indeed, we have an obligation under the temporary protection directive to accommodate persons from Ukraine. However, it emerged last week that €808,000 was spent on pets from Ukraine in the State with a contract for €248,000 for accommodation and almost €500,000 for transport. The Department of agriculture sought tenders for the transportation of pets from Ukraine from point of arrival in the State where they would be accommodated while being in quarantine, I presume.

I have had a look and I do not see it. Can the Taoiseach point me to anywhere in international or European law where there is an obligation to accommodate or transport pets - not people but their pets? If not, does he stand over that spending? What can be done about it?

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