Mayo people commended for support of Ukraine refugees
Two Mayo members of the Oireachtas have commended the people of Mayo for their generosity in supporting Ukrainian refugees fleeing their war-torn country.
Deputy Alan Dillon said the world has witnessed witnessed nearly 40 days of agony for the people of Ukraine in an act of aggression we never thought would darken our Continent again.
He elaborated: "As always the Irish people have stepped up to the plate and welcomed with open arms those fleeing inhumanity and bloodshed.
"I compliment the government's response to the initial and immediate crisis, working to ensure local capacity and resources are factored into the overall humanitarian response.
"That response has been hugely important within local communities and for voluntary groups.
"We have to commend their truly incredible work to date.
"In Mayo we have not been found wanting when it comes to providing homes for Ukrainians, with over 300 having been accommodated in Breaffy House Hotel outside Castlebar.
"The local Candle of Grace charity organisation has also been to the fore, helping to find homes around the county for over 30 families and also sending aid to Red Cross units supporting refugees in Ukraine.
"The activation of the community response forum will be an important element to enhance local co-ordination for community and voluntary response.
"We saw how successful that was during Covid-19.
"Putting those structures in place now will be an important step forward.
"Schools, childcare facilities, transport services, healthcare centres and GP services will all need ancillary supports. I hope this will be co-ordinated at national and local level.
"I commend Ireland on providing over €20 million in humanitarian assistance to support the UN and the Red Cross to deliver life-saving humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and the neighbouring countries.
"Our diplomatic efforts have also resulted in four senior officials being asked to leave the State.
"This sends a strong message that the Russians' actions are completely unjust.
"The recent volatility in prices has also demonstrated just how this war has impacted on us all.
"Similar to the Ukrainian people and their response in the face of tyranny, we must stick together as a nation and remember the struggles of those not too far from home."
Senator Lisa Chambers commended those who have pledged their own accommodation.
She stated: "I believe we have received about 25,000 pledges of accommodation, including spare rooms as well as entire apartments or houses.
People are accommodating families in their homes. That level of generosity is overwhelming and profound.
"It is incredible for people to welcome somebody into their home for 12, 18 or 24 months or perhaps even longer.
"It is incredible to see that number of people offering space in their homes to people in need and they should be commended on it.
"It will go a long way towards helping the government to deal with the housing situation for those refugees coming in.
"The task ahead of us, as a people, a country and a government, is enormous.
"It is really important that public representatives stick together and work together.
"We need to refrain from populism and from commentary that would somehow suggests this is an easy thing to deal with.
"It is not easy and it will not be easy. It will push our country. We will do the right thing because we would expect the same in return if it happened to us.
"It is about looking at this in a humanitarian way and looking after the immediate needs of those fleeing a warzone; that is essentially what is happening.
"I offer céad míle fáilte to all those Ukrainians coming to our country, predominantly women and children.
"They are welcome here and we will do our best to look after them and provide them with everything they need in terms of getting their children into school, proper housing, health supports and everything else that goes with that.
"Our country will be a better for having these lovely people come to live here with us.
"For however long that may be, we will manage this."