Remarks by Minister Byrne in Odesa, Ukraine, at the opening of the first completed school underground shelter - 24 April 2025

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Minister of Education and Science, Oksen Lisovy

Deputy Minister Mitkus

Governor

Excellencies

Ladies and Gentlemen

Thank you for your warm welcome to Odesa and I am honoured to be here with you all today.

My friends, the right to an education is something which we in Ireland, very much cherish.

Our progress as a nation stems from our want for education and its enjoyment.

But it is only when a child feels safe, that their mind is free to learn and absorb, the teachings on offer to them.

That is why Ireland is proud to join, with Lithuania and the European Commission, in supporting the people of this region with this new school underground shelter.

Of course, it is an outrage that we even need to build underground shelters for school children, in Ukraine.

Underground shelters have become a necessity, as a direct result of the illegal and unjustified full-scale invasion, launched by Russia.

Russia’s appalling aggression has had a particularly severe impact on Ukrainian children.

It is paramount that children are kept protected and safe.

Ireland’s support in the construction of this impressive structure is designed to ensure that children in Odesa can be kept safe, and like any Irish child, enjoy the right to an education, despite the conflict.

Construction of this shelter is a good demonstration of how the EU and its Member States can enhance our collective response to Russia’s illegal and unprovoked war of aggression – in line with the needs identified by the Ukrainian Government.

Ireland is proud to have worked with Lithuania’s Central Project Management Agency, who are managing this initiative, alongside the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, and the Delegation of the European Union.

I know that Lithuania’s deep historical ties with Ukraine, its experience on the ground in Ukraine, and the deep relationships you have fostered here, have been invaluable in this work.

So, I am really glad to be joining my colleague, Deputy Minister Mitkus, on this visit here today, and I hope our joint visit acts as a demonstration of EU solidarity with Ukraine.

To the Ukrainian Government and Ministry of Education and Science – your efficient and unwavering determination to service the needs of your people, the needs of your children and effectively Ukraine’s future, even in the midst of the war – is to be commended.

To the Ukrainian people, Ireland is inspired by your resilience and determination to resist Russia’s brutal aggression, and bravely defend your country, and our shared fundamental values.

Since February 2022, Ireland has welcomed more than 115,000 Ukrainians, who were forced to flee their homes thanks to Russian aggression.

My friends, Ukraine does not stand alone in this conflict.

Ireland, along with our European partners, remain steadfast in our support for the Ukrainian people, for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and for Ukraine’s EU path.

We are committed to standing with Ukraine, and we will continue to support you, for as long as it takes.

Thank you.

Slava Ukraini

Ends