Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I support the Order of Business as outlined by the Leader of the House.

It seems unbelievable that it was three years yesterday that we woke up to the news that Russia had invaded Ukraine. Since then, we have had three years of a war of aggression by Russia against Ukraine. There have been many fatalities with people displaced and Europe has been in a state of chaos. We have to think of all the Ukrainians, both those in Ukraine and those who have left. We must also think of those who have come to Ireland. I want to thank all the Irish hosts who have supported Ukrainian individuals and families, particularly Angie Goff for helping Irish hosts.

A total of 57% of those who have come to Ireland are staying with Irish hosts who have opened their homes and hearts to support people fleeing war. There is no doubt we need a strong and united Europe against the tyranny of Putin. It is important that we have the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade come in and have a debate regarding the situation in Ukraine.

I want to mention the just transition funding announced yesterday, which will allocate €6 million in funding to really important projects. That funding will go to Laois, Offaly, Longford, parts of Galway - I understand it is the Ballinasloe area - and parts of Kildare, the Clane, Maynooth and Athy areas. This is to try to rebalance employment opportunities that have gone because the extraction of peat has ceased. Some of the projects in Kildare are particularly good. We have four funded projects, one of which is the refurbishment of an old vacant secondary school that will be used to create economic opportunities and training.

I never understood why the area of the Kildare-Rathangan MD has been left out. Rathangan, if anybody knows it, is very much in the heart of the bog of Allen. As a village, it grew because of migrants from other parts of Ireland coming to settle there and work in the bogs. I understand EMRA is the regulatory authority in Ireland but it would be important to have a discussion around future funding and the geographical area. I would like a debate in this House with the Minister on this issue.

In the brief time I have left, I want to refer to eating disorders. An estimated 200,000 people in Ireland will experience an eating disorder at some time in their lives.There is a myth that eating disorders only affect young people and girls. However, approximately 25% are men and it is generally felt that men are not presenting. People need help. There are only three inpatient beds in the country. Twenty more were promised but have not been delivered. In budget 2024, funding was announced for five new posts within the HSE south-west Dublin, west Wicklow and Kildare area to commence an adult eating disorder team. We need clarification on that because it is very hard to get the information. I would like to see a debate in the House on eating disorders, which of course are not just about losing weight as there are psychiatric conditions and mental health elements involved.