Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for being here to take this really important motion. I commend my colleague, Senator Seery Kearney, on putting it together. It is incredibly worthwhile. While we have had the opportunity to speak about the situation in Ukraine, it is important that meat is put on the bones in respect of the response, so I thank Senator Seery Kearney and her colleagues for that.

Much has been said in this House, in the Lower House, in council chambers and right around the country about the horrific situation that has unfolded over the past five weeks in Ukraine. While we saw before Christmas an evolving situation in which Russia was really pushing at the borders, I think there was a feeling of hope that this would not happen. Yet on 24 February we all woke up to realise that war in our time was happening and that the population of Ukraine was being subjected to shocking bombings.Two weeks ago, 61 schools and 13 hospitals had been bombed. I do not doubt that this figure has increased. We have seen through the power of media and social media shocking images that the world had not seen in many decades and certainly not this close to Europe for the past 80 years.

The work the Government, led by the Taoiseach, has done is commendable. Ireland was one of the first countries to open its borders in a humanitarian way in response to the horrific situation Ukrainians have found themselves in. This is in marked contrast to our nearest neighbour. There is no doubt that there is very strong political will to support the Ukrainians who have found their way here. Undoubtedly, many more will come to Ireland.

The community response we have seen has been excellent. My colleague, Senator Wall, spoke about schools bringing communities together to respond. We have Mr. Richard Daly in Kildare. Families throughout County Kildare and other counties are opening their homes. My neighbour three doors down has taken in a family of seven and is an incredible example to all of us. I have registered with the Red Cross to take in Ukrainians because that is the right thing to do. My sister-in-law, Siobhán, drove to the Polish border and returned on Monday with five women, one baby, two dogs and a cat. She was able to offer sanctuary and transport.

United for Ukraine is a political organisation founded by Lithuanian MEP and former Prime Minister, Mr. Andrius Kubilius. I have become a member of the organisation. It is open to all parliamentarians throughout Europe to join. Yesterday there was a meeting on humanitarian aid. It is important to put this in context. At present, Ukraine needs 15,000 tonnes of food every day. It needs 10,000 tonnes of fuel, including for transport. It needs water, medicines and other supports. Currently, it is only receiving 5,000 tonnes of food per day. This is one third of what it needs. We bore witness to families, particularly in Mariupol, not having food and water. It is important that parliamentarians throughout Europe play their part in ensuring that humanitarian aid for those in Ukraine continues in the way it has for the first weeks.

In the context of what is happening at a local level, substantial work is taking place throughout Government in terms of providing accommodation. The community centre in Rathangan will be a reception centre. We certainly welcome this. With regard to supports for those who have arrived, there is nothing more important than access to school places and early education places. I know of one family in Monasterevin with two boys and two girls. Three have received a school place but one has not. We cannot have this situation. That is why I welcome the education and training boards playing a co-ordinating role. We also need clarity in terms of driving licences for Ukrainians. The Department of Education and that Teaching Council have said they will actively promote teachers from Ukraine in order that they can be registered with the Teaching Council, but it is happening too slowly. It has not happened yet. It needs to take place.

Those in the agricultural industry have been impacted most by what is happening in the war regarding the cost of fertiliser. There have to be subsidies for fertiliser. This should be done on tonnage as opposed to on hectares. There are many elements to this very difficult situation. We have to do our best for the Ukrainians who have stayed in their country. We have to do our best for the Ukrainians who have come to our shores. We have to do our best to try to alleviate the impact on those most impacted by the war.