No matter who we are or where we come from, we all deserve to feel safe, to be able to put our children to bed, knowing that they will wake up in a secure home.

Millions of people have been forced to flee Ukraine since the Russian invasion began and thousands have reached Ireland’s shores. Communities have shown incredible care and generosity, pledging beds, organising supplies and supports.

Already emergency accommodation is running out, families are sleeping in community halls, empty buildings - soon tents will be deployed.

This government must respond to this humanitarian crisis with bold action. We need a public led response to make sure families fleeing war and persecution have a secure home, as they piece together their lives again and make decisions about their future.

We the undersigned call on Micheál Martin to secure empty homes for families fleeing war for a minimum of one year.

There are thousands of warm, safe and connected homes up and down the country, homes built by toxic vulture funds, owned by banks or just lying empty - including holiday homes and Airbnb’s, used only for a few weeks of the year.

Now is the time for this government to bring these homes into use, providing thousands of secure homes for families. This would further enable local communities to support displaced people, as they recover and find their feet again.