Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I too welcome the Minister to the House. From a Fianna Fáil perspective, we welcome and support this emergency provisions Bill which deals with the domestic response to the Ukrainian crisis and provides for matters relating to the Stardust inquest. I acknowledge Senator Boylan for her work on the Stardust inquest, as the Minister did in his statement. This Bill will make provision for the empanelling and summoning of a jury for that inquest. It is only right and proper that the Stardust inquest is finally dealt with to allow closure that is long overdue. I welcome the provisions in the Bill which I hope will end that journey.

The other part of the Bill relates to our response to the Ukrainian crisis. I join Senator Ward in saying how proud I am of how the nation has responded in an emergency situation to the crisis that the poor people of Ukraine are going through. How this Government has reacted shows what can be done in a crisis situation. The pandemic provided another example of the Government acting in a competent manner. It is important that we learn from the response to the pandemic and how we have dealt with the Ukrainian nationals who have come to our shores. I am sure there are learnings to be taken that can be rolled out so that others benefit in a similar manner.

I welcome the fact of the €400 monthly payment that will be allocated to persons who provide accommodation for Ukrainian people. When does the Minister hope that will be up and running? When can people apply for that? When can they expect payment? I know some of them will be doing this without payment but others will be looking for that €400. It is not an awful lot of money, to be fair. It is important that we give clear guidelines to those individuals about when they can expect payment to be made in that regard.

I welcome the measures around fuel for the haulage industry. Unfortunately, things have moved on again in respect of inflation and the cost of energy. Some self-employed people who work in the manufacturing industry have approached me. They have their own vehicles to transport their goods from their place of manufacture to the marketplace.Unfortunately, they are not covered by this scheme. I am sure the Minister is aware of that. Have there been any developments regarding those people who do not have a road haulage licence but have to get their goods to the marketplace? They are penalised but if they picked up the phone and rang a haulage company, that company would be entitled to this fund, which is unfair.

Another part of the Bill relates to our response across a number of Departments in respect of childcare. I welcome those measures.

The Irish nation can be proud of how it reacts in an emergency when others, regardless of what part of the globe they hail from, find themselves in difficult positions. Time and again, the generosity of the Irish people has been renowned, and this is another occasion where we can be proud of our response. I am delighted to be associated with both Bills and look forward their swift passage through the Houses.