Watch: Leo Varadkar claims ignorance of €800,000 spend on Ukrainian pets despite Irish Mirror report

Leo Varadkar says he will investigate details of expenditure on transport and accommodation for the pets of Ukrainian refugees, as reported by the Irish Mirror last week

Varadkar unaware of €800k spend on transport of Ukrainian pets

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has been questioned about government spending of over €800,000 on transport and accommodation for the pets of Ukrainian refugees, as exclusively reported by the Irish Mirror last week.

Details of the exclusive report were put to Mr Varadkar in the Dáil yesterday by Clare TD Michael McNamara, who asked if the Taoiseach stands over the expenditure of €808,000 on animals arriving from Ukraine.

The outlay included €248,200 for the provision of kennelling facilities for dogs and other companion animals belonging to asylum seekers who travelled to Ireland from the Eastern European country.

A further €559,932 has been spent on accommodation, transport, veterinary bills and other costs relating to Ukrainian pets since the outbreak of the conflict in February 2022.

“Your government has consistently reiterated Ireland’s legal obligations under both international law and European law to asylum seekers and those fleeing persecution,” Mr McNamara told the Taoiseach.

“However, it emerged last week that €808,000 was spent on pets from Ukraine in this state – a contract for €248,000 for accommodation, almost €500,000 for transport,” he continued.

The independent TD, who is also a barrister, referred to the Irish Mirror report and outlined further details of the spending by the Department of Agriculture.

“Now, Taoiseach, I don’t know,” he said. “I’ve had a look and I don’t see it, but can you point me to anywhere in international law or European law where there is an obligation to accommodate or transport pets – not people, but their pets?

“If not, Taoiseach, do you stand over that spending or what will be done about it?”

In his response, Mr Varadkar said he was unaware of the spending but undertook to make enquiries.