Garret Ahearn (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Before I talk about a budgetary measure that was brought in today, I want to pick up on Senator Flynn's comments on refugees and remind Members of the question of comparing like with like. It is important to say that the 50,000 Ukrainian people coming into this country are not refugees. They are here under an EU temporary protection directive. Their position is nothing similar to being refugees and comparing them with refugees is not comparing like with like. When the Senator talks about people in Ireland meeting treatment based on the colour of their skin and gives the impression the Government is making decisions based on the colour of people's skin, it is a very dangerous comment to make. I ask the Cathaoirleach to review the comments that were made and to suggest to the Senator to retract or rephrase them. It is dangerous commentary to make. People should understand Ukrainians coming here are not refugees. That is a said quite a lot on all sides of the House but they are not, in fact, refugees.

Lots of Members will speak later about the budget and what it contains. It is very positive in terms of putting money back into people's pockets but one measure that has been taken will change people's lives, namely, the provision of State-funded IVF treatment for women and couples throughout this country.