Ukrainian students welcome
Deputy Grealish welcomed Ukrainian students visiting the House and read a message thanking Ireland for its support. The Taoiseach warmly responded by thanking the college, Galway and the students for what they contribute.
I do not have a question on promised legislation. Instead, I welcome the Ukrainian students, who are pupils of Galway Community College, in the Visitors Gallery today. They asked their teacher Mr. Philip Cribbin if they could visit the Irish Parliament and asked me to read out a short note of thanks to the Irish Government and the Irish people for the heartwarming welcome they have received since they arrived here. Their message is as follows:
We would like to thank Galway Community College, the Irish government and its ... people for [the] warmth, support and hospitality we have received since we arrived [in Ireland]. When we return home we believe that what we have learnt and experienced in Ireland will help us create a positive new chapter in the history of Ukraine where we will work to rebuild our country's economy, infrastructure and our lives. A piece of our hearts will always be Irish. Slava Ukraini and Míle buíochas to the Irish people.
Comment on this
I thank the Deputy for so eloquently articulating the emotions and the message from the Ukrainian students at Galway Community College.
We thank the college and the people of Galway for welcoming the students so warmly, as they have articulated. On behalf of the Irish people, I also thank the students for bringing insights to us and for shining a light on what has happened to both their families and their people in Ukraine. Our students will be much the better for the experience of meeting with the Ukrainian students and sharing their classrooms and school with them. They have enriched us, and we thank them for that.