Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House discuss this all-important issue. I pay tribute to my colleagues, led by Senator Seery Kearney, for putting together the motion. I welcome all the Ukrainians who have come to our shores and the many who will come in the near future. So many people are arriving daily.

As for the motion, significant stress has been put on education, and it is really important that there is continuity in that regard. I pay tribute to the ETBs and the various schools bringing people into their classrooms. Some schools are already under pressure but are opening their doors. People have been generous with financial supports and the donation of necessary goods. Only today I saw one of our councillors put up in her community a message that a number of Ukrainians had moved into the area and that they are looking for supplies of toiletries and so on. Obviously, people have arrived here having left Ukraine quickly and were very limited in what they could bring with them. As a result, goods are still needed. I pay tribute to bodies such as the Red Cross, which has provided a very valuable service. It is co-operating with others and co-ordinating residential supplies. While more than 20,000 people have pledged accommodation at this stage, more will be needed as the number of people arriving increases. The other day I met somebody who met some of the refugees as they arrived. An eight-year-old had travelled on their own. It is heartbreaking to hear that an eight-year-old child was sent over alone. For that child it must be a very traumatic experience. I have met with many Ukrainians in Limerick who are bringing in some of their family members. I have been working with them to try to help them with the provision of translation and other services. Another part of our motion refers to driver licences.

I lend my support to Ukraine's accession to the European Union. While I know we as a country are collectively doing everything we can within Europe, Ukraine's accession needs to be fast-tracked. These people are going through horrific circumstances. We need only look at our news every evening to see the harrowing pictures, which tell their own story.

I support the motion and thank the Minister of State for his time.