€3m raised for Ukraine after the Late Late

MORE than €3m has been raised for the Irish Red Cross to fund its work in Ukraine.

The money was donated following an appeal on RTÉ’s Late Late Show on Friday night.

Speaking on the show, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the Government donated €10m last week and a further €10m will be donated to assist Ukraine this week.

Mr Martin also announced the establishment of a new register for people to pledge support for Ukrainian refugees arriving into Ireland.

He said Minister for Equality and Integration Roderic O’Gorman is working with the Irish Red Cross to establish a database to help Ukrainian arrivals find accommodation and offer skills or training that may be of assistance.

A number of Ukrainian doctors working in the Irish healthcare system have joined forces to send medical equipment to their warravaged country this weekend.

The group ‘Medical Help Ukraine’, working with the Ukrainian embassy of

Ireland and Lifeline Ambulance services as well as a number of private hospitals and Ryanair, sent five ambulances full of medical equipment to Dublin Airport yesterday which was then flown to the Ukraine to support with the ongoing conflict.

Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs yesterday confirmed that all babies born to Irish parents through surrogacy in Ukraine in recent weeks are now safe.

A spokesperson said: ‘The Department of Foreign Affairs can confirm that the babies born through surrogacy in recent weeks to Irish parents have departed Ukraine and are now safely in the care of their parents.’