Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Yes. When the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Simon Coveney, was speaking at the UN General Assembly in September, he made the point that the sustainable development goals presented an opportunity to take common action and address the root causes of poverty, inequality and instability, as well as how all of these issues led to migration. We have heard about how part of the EU and UN funding goes towards tackling the root causes of migration. I agree that no one should be forced to leave a country because of hunger, conflict, the abuse of human rights, poverty or climate change, but we know that climate change is fuelling several of these problems. That raises a question. When the European Council receives a report on progress in dealing with migration, will of these areas be covered also? Will the meeting look at the where and how, whether the funding is being used to tackle the root causes and if it is having any effect? Will there be a progress report on what is happening in the Mediterranean, the Libyan coastguard and detention centres in Libya? There have been appalling human rights abuses by those supposedly in charge of the centres.

We cannot talk about the causes of migration without referring to the arms trade that fuels instability, poverty and famine. Let us consider what is happening in Yemen. We know about the role of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in providing arms. We also know about the role of the United States, Britain and France in providing assistance. We know about the attacks on food supplies and the destruction of fishing boats. There is a deliberate policy of starving civilians. Is that issue going to be discussed, given that the situation in Yemen is being described as the greatest disaster? Britain and France will be represented at the table. Will they be tackled on these issues?

Other issues will be discussed at the Council meeting. Will the Rohingya be discussed? I put a question to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade last week. I asked whether there would be an audit of the peace process. There are certain concerns that it is not working and that the fact-finding mission will be extended to other parts. There are concerns about transparency surrounding the memorandum of understanding with Bangladesh. Recently a small group of Rohingya have been exiled from India. These are the important foreign policy issues that need to be addressed.

The President of the European Council, Mr. Tusk, has talked about strengthening internal borders and co-operation with third countries, but there is no mention of these third countries or the issues of concern within them when it comes to human rights.

I will finish with one point on Brexit. While we are all respectful of the vote taken on Brexit, it appears that there is little or no respect for the overwhelming vote in favour of the Good Friday Agreement, which is most regrettable.

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