Proposed EU Directive to allow Ukrainian people live and work here is welcome step – Higgins, O’Dowd & Richmond

The proposed activation of the EU’s Temporary Protection Directive to enable Ukrainian people live and work here for up to three years would be a welcome step, according to three Fine Gael TDs.

Deputies Emer Higgins, Fergus O’Dowd and Neale Richmond said Ireland must do all it can to support the people of Ukraine given the terror being unleashed on the country at the hands of Russia.

Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy O’Dowd said, “Millions of despairing families flee their homes, men go to war to fight for Ukraine’s freedom, whilst women and children undertake desperate journeys to find safe a haven in European countries.

“The dark fog of war emanates solely from the decision of one man, the Kremlin dictator, in his gilded palace.

“We in the European Union repeat unequivocally our demand for Russia to end their offensive against the Ukrainian people and insist on an immediate ceasefire.

“Ireland, along with other EU countries, offers a safe haven to Ukrainian refugees and as a member of the UN Security Council, Ireland will work unceasingly for a peaceful resolution of this crisis.

“I salute the resistance of the Ukrainian people to the invader and in particularly the bravery demonstrated by President Zelensky.

Deputy Higgins welcomed confirmation from Justice Minister Helen McEntee that work is underway by her Department on the potential activation by the EU of the Temporary Protection Directive.

The Directive is designed to provide a coordinated response to a mass influx of displaced persons to standardise the giving of temporary protection across EU member states and to ensure that all member States play their part.

Deputy Higgins said: “I wish to express my support and solidarity with the people of Ukraine.

Their sovereignty and territorial integrity has been so illegally and callously attacked. I have been heartened by the support and welcoming nature of the Irish people towards Ukrainians that have already come to Ireland.

“I really welcome the swift action by Minister McEntee to waive visa requirements for those fleeing the Ukraine. Today the Minister confirmed in the Dáil that The Department of Justice has already started work on the Temporary Protection Directive, which she said is likely to be activated this week.

“Rather than being required to apply for international protection those arriving would instead access a simplified process to receive temporary residency permission for 1 year initially, which may be extended for further periods, potentially up to three years.

“This would also provide an immediate right of access to the labour market, housing, social welfare, healthcare, education, training and other supports.  The protection would also not remove the right of those persons to apply for International Protection.

“I’ve no doubt that the Irish government and the Irish people will continue to be forthcoming in their support and solidarity with Ukraine.”

Deputy Neale Richmond said: “Russia has 31 known staff members working in their Embassy in my constituency of Dublin Rathdown, a huge amount when compared to most EU embassies that have closer economic and cultural links with Ireland. If we are not going to expel the Russian Ambassador, then we must expel many of these diplomats, particular the two Russian defence attachés.

“Russia’s vicious attack has been rightly condemned and Ireland is leading in terms of providing a safe path and safe haven for the refugees from this bloody conflict.”