Mary Seery Kearney (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I rise today to bring to the House's attention, in the context of the evolving situation in Ukraine, the mixed reports on the ground, of people living their normal everyday lives, and those reports from the international arena. I note that there are Irish families who are expecting babies in the Ukraine. Between now and May, 14 babies are going to be born. I want us to have empathy for those families in what is already an anxious time but with heightened anxiety and distress. I am liaising with the solicitors, the advocacy groups and, most importantly, with the Minister, Deputy Coveney, where he and his team in the Department of Foreign Affairs have continued to be exceptional and will be no less so in this circumstance than they have been in the past number of years.

There are some families out there who may not have given notification as yet and may not have said it or brought it to their solicitor’s attention that they are travelling out. We know of 14 such families for sure and if any others come forward, they can contact me as I am liaising with the Department of Foreign Affairs, so that we can have contingency plans in place for whatever arises, although, hopefully, nothing will. I thank the Cathaoirleach.