Two Fianna Fáil politicians have met political leader in the Ukrainian city of Lviv.
Senator Timmy Dooley - who is vice president of the EU political grouping ALDE - and MEP Billy Kelleher, returned to Poland following the meeting.
During their time in Lviv, they met Mayor Andriy Sadovyi and the governor of the Lviv region, Maxym Kozytsky.
Speaking to RTÉ News on his return, Senator Dooley said they had been invited to travel to Ukraine by a member of the Ukrainian People's Party - which is led by President Volodymyr Zelensky.
He said local people said they want more help from Europe, including helmets and bulletproof jackets.
"That is something Ireland has committed to doing and it is certainly something we will be taking back home," he said.
Two Fianna Fáil politicians travelled to the Ukrainian city of Lviv today to meet political leaders there. Senator Timmy Dooley, vice president of the EU political grouping ALDE, and MEP Billy Kelleher, have now returned to Poland - Read more: https://t.co/3dXXixosyM pic.twitter.com/HPsukFOBUi
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) March 6, 2022
Asked how many Ukrainian refugees Ireland should take in, Mr Kelleher said: "Ireland will have to play its part in providing accommodation and lots of it."
Senator Dooley added: "I don't think we should be looking at limits at this stage. I get the sense that Irish people are really ready to help. I think they will reach out like never before."
The @fiannafailparty Senator and @ALDEParty Vice President, as well as Munster MEP @BillyKelleherEU meeting the Governer of Lviv region Maxym Kozytsky @rtenews pic.twitter.com/WUeuhqmiPK
— Paul Cunningham (@RTENewsPaulC) March 6, 2022
Asked if they could not have held a zoom meeting instead of travelling to Lviv, Senator Dooley said: "I think that showed we were really serious about helping them. They invited us. They wanted us to come. I think from their perspective it showed that we were committed to working with them."
Questioned as to whether Taoiseach and Fianna Fáil party leader Micheál Martin had given his approval, Senator Dooley said this was essentially an ALDE mission.
The @fiannafailparty Senator and @ALDEParty Vice President @timmydooley
— Paul Cunningham (@RTENewsPaulC) March 6, 2022
as well as Munster MEP @BillyKelleherEU meeting the Mayor of Lviv, Andriy Sadovy. @rtenews pic.twitter.com/NCT1ZAW86A
Billy Kelleher said it was clear from their meetings in Lviv there was huge local concern over civilian deaths.
He said: "They can't have evacuees being attacked from the air as is the case in Mariupol."
The MEP added that Ireland must also ensure there is financial support for NGOs like the Red Cross.
