Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the office of the Cathaoirleach for choosing this very important matter for debate. I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Malcolm Noonan.

We see before our eyes the tragedy unfolding across Ukraine, where, a fortnight ago, people were living their lives, perhaps in trepidation and fear, but as normally as possible in their own country. Now, we see people leaving in their thousands and becoming refugees across Europe, including here in Ireland. Some 2,200 Ukrainians have arrived since the visa requirement was lifted on 25 February, many of them to come to live with family who are already in Ireland. It is important that the Irish State welcomes them, supports them and keeps them safe for as long as they need to be here. It is fair to say that many of them would wish to go home to their own country eventually and, hopefully, that can be soon, if it is safe to do so and if the war ends in a timely fashion.

Tá spiorad agus flaithiúlacht mhuintir na hÉireann le feiceáil agus iad ag cur cúnaimh agus maoinithe ar fáil chun cabhrú leis an gCros Dhearg agus le gníomhaireachtaí eile san Úcráin. Is iontach an rud é tairiscintí agus spéis na ndaoine ar fud na tíre lóistín a chur ar fáil ina dtithe féin ach ní haon ionadh é. Tréaslaím leis an gceannaireacht ón Rialtas agus ón Aontas Eorpach ar an tragóid seo san Úcráin.Tá daoine a bhí ina gcónaí ina dtír féin coicís ó shin anois ina dteifigh trasna na hEorpa. Is é an rud is mó a theastaítear anois ná sábháilteacht do na daoine seo, go háirithe mná agus páistí agus na fir fágtha ag troid ar son na hÚcráine.

The Government is working hard to ensure that people get personal public service, PPS, numbers, rights to work and so on. It is important that we see the generosity of spirit of Irish people in pledging their support for families.