Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am glad the Chairman put this item on the agenda. We have been aware for quite some time of the huge tragedy that has been unfolding before us but, unfortunately, no effective action has been taken. We only learn of the massive loss of life when we hear of the loss of large numbers of people on large vessels. Those people are being trafficked and abused. We do not have the words to describe adequately their misery and suffering. We now realise the appalling conditions those people live in when they take to those boats and risk travelling to Europe. A clear message needs to go out that such human trafficking and unbelievable abuse of fellow human beings need to be tackled at source. I do not know how the European Union can get to those countries where those criminals are involved in trafficking people the message as to how they need to be dealt with.

Malta, which is a very small state, and Italy, which is a much larger state, have been seeking help for years to deal with the issue of the huge numbers of migrants landing on their shores. Other member states of the European Union have not been supportive of those countries. I do not know the answer to this migration crisis but it is unacceptable that we are witnessing the slaughter and degradation of human beings on such a large scale. As the Chairman said, we probably do not have any idea of the actual loss of human life in these circumstances. What we are witnessing is incredible in this day and age. The European Union must respond in a meaningful way and we, as a member state, must also respond proportionately. We have a good record down the years in assisting in humanitarian crises, both through our people's voluntary contributions and through our taxpayers' contribution. It is in our psyche, stemming back in our history to more than 150 years ago, to have empathy, sympathy and genuine concern for people who are being treated in such an appalling way.

I welcome the fact that the Heads of Government are due to meet this week and that the foreign Ministers and interior and justice Ministers have met. Obviously, programmes need to be put in place. An Irish person who has spoken out loudly and credibly on this issue at European level for a number of year is the former Attorney General, Peter Sutherland. He has been championing the cause of those people who have been caught in such circumstances. We are a very small cog in the wheel in terms of trying to influence and put in place an adequate response, but surely the Presidency of the European Union should convene a meeting of the chairmen of the foreign affairs committees of every member state parliament to create extra awareness of this issue. We are doing it now at committee level and it is being done at Dáil level through the format of parliamentary questions and Leaders' Questions. Surely there is an onus on the Presidency of the European Union to convene a meeting comprising the Chairman and his 27 counterparts to ensure this issue is kept at the forefront of the agenda. Europe must respond in a meaningful and practical way to try to reduce and eliminate the suffering of so many innocent human beings and prevent further loss of life.