Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for coming here to take this issue. He is, on a personal level, deeply invested in addressing the questions of direct provision. This is not an either-or matter. He has shown that he is deeply committed to resolving this problem and that there is a compassionate response to an appalling human tragedy. I am extremely proud of the approach that the Taoiseach and the Government have taken at European level of being to the fore in ensuring that the toughest possible sanctions are levied against a war criminal, a thug and somebody who does not respect international law. In addition, the strongest possible supports that can be made available are being made available to our Ukrainian brothers and sisters.

I appreciate that the following issue is slightly outside the remit of the Minister. In terms of humanitarian support, there are a number questions on education and training provision that we need to address. Our education and training systems - our universities, colleges and schools - are looking to respond in the best way they possibly can but the situation will present enormous challenges. A lot of English language supports will need to be made available to children, young people and adults. Support systems will need to be put in place for the children who come to this country in order to bring them into our education system while remembering that many of them will have experienced trauma. Let us consider that these young children will have spent time in school with their friends before being removed from that normality and brought thousands of kilometres across Europe only to enter a very different school environment where the language and curriculum is different. School places and additional supports will need to be made available.

There are also challenges in higher education and research and I hope that they are in the process of being addressed. This matter includes Ukrainian students who are in higher education or training programmes. Will we be able to recognise their qualifications when they come to Ireland? Will they be allowed to finish their courses here? Will the necessary supports be put in place for them?

We need to clarify the situation for Ukrainian students who are already here. The decision to effectively recognise students from the Ukraine as EU citizens is correct. However, there are Ukrainian students here who have already paid non-EEA fees and that anomaly needs to be addressed. Also, a small but not insignificant number of Irish students were studying in Ukraine or Russia but they have now come home. We must find ways for them to finish their education and training. I hope that we can address some of these matters in the supports that we provide.

We need to address the issue of Russian and Belarusian citizens who are based here. I mean we must ensure that ordinary Russian and Belarusian people are not blamed for the activities of their autocratic leaders. Most of us who have spoken to anyone from Russia or Belarus who are based here in Ireland will know that they abhor what is going on in their home countries. It will be important in the discourse that we have that we do not in any way be seen to discriminate against those people who have made Ireland their home. We have often spoken in this House about Belarus. Quite frankly, Lukashenko needs to be removed and it is ordinary citizens who are leading that fight. For ordinary Russians and Belarusians, we need to ensure that, as part of this campaign, that support is put in place.

Finally, I wish to raise an issue that I know my Wexford colleague, Deputy Brendan Howlin, has also raised. I refer to the fact that significant additional pressures are now being placed on Rosslare Europort. I know that the Government has made moves to address some of them but Rosslare Europort is important. Local resources are doing their best in terms of the gardaí, customs, immigration and everyone else. The place will need significant supports if the numbers that are anticipated arrive through the port.