Immediate lifting of visa restrictions between Ukraine and Ireland.

Green Party TD for Waterford Marc Ó Cathasaigh welcomes the immediate lifting of visa restrictions between Ukraine and Ireland. This measure means that people who feel it’s safe to leave Ukraine can do so without needing to arrange a visa in advance and will be of considerable benefit to Ukrainian people with family members already living here.
Deputy Ó Cathasaigh said that trying to relate the personal stories of the people of Ukraine at the moment is unthinkable. He raised the matter while speaking in the Dáil on Thursday while members of the Ukrainian community gathered outside the gates of Leinster House in solidarity with their family and friends back in Ukraine only hours after their country was invaded by Russia.

Speaking in the Dáil, hours after Russia’s unprovoked and savage attack on its democratic neighbour Deputy Ó Cathasaigh said:

“I wish to acknowledge the members of the Ukrainian community that are outside the gates today. Trying to relate the personal stories of the people at the gates to the large scale of the war on Europe is unthinkable.”

Welcoming the announcement of the immediate lifting of visa restrictions between Ukraine and Ireland Deputy Ó Cathasaigh said:

“Our news bulletins and social media feeds are full of heart-breaking scenes of Ukrainian people saying goodbye to their children, packing their cars and fleeing their homes. Ireland must do everything we can to help Ukrainian people fleeing their homeland to safety. The immediate lifting of restrictions will allow Ukrainian people with family members already living in Ireland to leave Ukraine without needing to arrange a visa in advance and will be of immense comfort for Ukrainians living here to know that they can provide safe shelter to their loved ones.”