Tánaiste Simon Harris has been questioned in the Dáil on allegations that the government is paying for certain Ukrainian immigrants’ auto repairs, including a €7,000 engine replacement, reports The Mirror.
Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) from Ukraine reportedly got between €400 and €7,000 for auto repairs, including new tires, according to Independent Ireland TD Ken O’Flynn.
He said that he was not aware of any other government in the world “that is repairing people’s cars” and asked Mr. Harris whether similar payments were also available to asylum seekers from other nations, reports The Mirror.
In reference to an Irish Mirror article from the previous year that disclosed the Government was covering the cost of housing the pets of BOTPs, Mr. O’Flynn likened the expense to the “€1 million per month for cats and dogs from Ukraine.”
Despite stating that “we shouldn’t be giving out a widespread sense that people from Ukraine are getting new cars, new tyres, and repairs,” Mr. Harris agreed to investigate the allegations.
“We help people out who have fled war in Ukraine,” said the Tánaiste, before being interrupted by Mr O’Flynn, who added: “By repairing their cars?” reports The Mirror.
“I’m going to get you information in relation to any such payments,” Mr Harris told the Cork TD. “But let me tell you, people who have fled here from very difficult situations, have fled here in very difficult situations. I’m proud of the level of support we provide them and I don’t want to give a sense [to] people watching in… that there’s widespread repairs of people’s cars going on – let’s have a sense of perspective,” reports The Mirror.
“The people that I know from Ukraine who come here are making a bloody great contribution to the Irish economy. They’re making a great contribution with their kids in our schools, they’re working hard, and they’re very welcome here,” added the Tánaiste, reports The Mirror.
“They’re European, and I look forward to welcoming them into the European Union very shortly,” reports The Mirror.
Following his response, Mr. Harris and Mr. O’Flynn engaged in a verbal altercation across the Dáil floor, during which the Tánaiste repeatedly called the TD a “dog whistler.”
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