Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

That is what makes it complicated. I was in the Mansion House when that organisation was nominating a series of activists. In fact, some governments protested - I think it was the Israeli, Moroccan and Iranian governments - vigorously at the inclusion of some human rights defenders.

The witnesses are representing Amnesty International. There is another international body that deals with front line defenders, giving them aid when they are threatened and so forth. Is there duplication there in any sense? We also have the OSCE, the Council of Europe and others, including this committee, addressing the issue of human rights. A lot of resources were available to publicise human rights defenders within Ireland, through newspaper articles and advertisements in The Irish Times, on bus shelters and indeed, through enormous banners hanging buildings. Is there duplication here? Do the organisations adopt the same people? For example, Amnesty International lists nine cases of people under threat. Are those same people already supported by Front Line Defenders?

My next question relates to the question of borders and Amnesty International has some interesting recommendations in that regard. Specific reference is made to Frontex in the submission. We know that there is great movement of people through countries like Greece and through Morocco to Spain. There is great movement of people throughout the world and I understand that Frontex is an agency charged with defending national borders or boundaries. I ask the witnesses to outline whether they are happy with the performance of Frontex. The submission refers to rescuing people in distress at sea and their prompt and safe disembarkment. We know there are lots of people coming to Europe from northern Africa by boat. Is Amnesty International happy that Frontex acts as an independent, impartial agency and upholds human rights standards?

My final question relates to the reference to "Dublin Regulation's operation" in the context of asylum seekers and refugees. Are these international regulations or ones which apply specifically to Ireland? The submission reads, "The Presidency must ensure that solidarity measures within the EU are also geared to seeking to address systemic deficiencies in asylum systems and addressing the imbalances in the Dublin Regulation' s operation". Are these regulations that are applicable solely in Ireland?