Ireland supports Ukraine but has no more places for refugees

Ireland opened its Embassy to Ukraine in June 2021. 

Since then Ireland and Ukraine have worked closely together in further developing our engagement across the political, economic and cultural spheres.  It was my great honour to welcome our Taoiseach (Prime Minister), Micheál Martin, to Kyiv last July, the first ever visit of a Taoiseach to Ukraine. 

Our Foreign Minister, Simon Coveney, travelled to Kyiv in August 2021 to officially open the Embassy and to attend the inaugural International Crimea Platform; he returned last April, the first Foreign Minister to do so after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.  Minister Coveney also visited Odesa last September to see first-hand Ukrainian grain leaving Odesa Port to destinations across the globe, including developing countries, where exports from Ukraine are playing a vital role in stabilising global food prices and alleviating hunger. 

Ireland has been very clear in our strong support of Ukraine’s bid to join the EU. 

We will accompany Ukraine along that path, a journey we ourselves made fifty years ago.  Our membership of the EU has been an overwhelmingly positive experience.  In preparing for EU membership, we made some sometimes difficult, complex decisions but found reward in the remarkable economic and social transformation of our country.  We continue to reshape our economy and society, integrating further into the EU, our natural home. 

We know that Ukrainians will embrace their journey along the EU path, while also responding to one of the greatest challenges to Ukraine’s existence in the face of the unprovoked, immoral and unjustified war that Russia is conducting on Ukrainian sovereign territory. 

The bonds between our two States and peoples are so much stronger than just over a year ago when I first arrived in Kyiv.  Irish people have come to know Ukrainians better, especially since the invasion.  We fully understand that Ukrainians have a distinct and proud ancient culture and identity; from our own history we know how precious nationhood is.  The international community at crucial times in our history acknowledged and recognised the reality of our lived experience over generations.  The international community on the whole has rightly upheld the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression. 

Ireland is resolute in our solidarity and support for Ukraine. 

We admire the extraordinary resolve and resilience of Ukraine and its people.  Ukrainians have been courageous and resourceful in their response, prioritising support for the most vulnerable while resisting a brutal invasion.  For our part, we are honouring our commitment to help Ukrainians displaced by this horrendous war.  In addition to support provided via EU channels, Ireland has given €20 million in humanitarian assistance to support Ukraine and neighbouring countries.  Our active support has also included temporarily waiving last February the requirement for Ukrainians to obtain a visa to travel to Ireland.   

Ireland has never seen so many people arrive in such a short time frame.

We are currently hosting over 55,000 Ukrainians – more than 1% of our population. 

Government, civil and public servants, as well as volunteers across the country, are working hard to manage this humanitarian crisis by providing the necessary supports for those who are seeking shelter and other services. However, I wish to highlight that available State-provided accommodation is now very restricted; there have been instances in recent days during which we could not temporarily place newly-arrived Ukrainians and others such as those seeking International Protection in suitable accommodation. 

This challenge is one we continue to grapple with and about which we care very deeply.  We ask the Ukrainian people for their understanding and caution anyone contemplating travelling to Ireland at this time to be aware that we may not be able to guarantee the availability of State-provided accommodation on arrival, despite our very best efforts and wishes.

As Ireland’s first resident Ambassador to Ukraine, I am proud of all the good work my team has undertaken with the Ukrainian Government, with the Verkhovna Rada and so many other stakeholders, including educators and civil society, in a relatively short space of time.  I believe that Ukraine’s future is very bright and that this country and its people have so much to offer to Europe and the world. 

We can learn from you.

We stand with you.

We look forward to further developing our bilateral relations in the years ahead.

By Thérèse Healy
Ambassador of Ireland to Ukraine