Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is welcome that we are having this discussion.

When the committee met with the EU High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, I raised with her this issue of migrants and the impact it was having on the EU. There is no surprise at the lack of solidarity coming from Europe. We would argue that there was a lack of solidarity on the Irish situation. The people of Greece, Italy and Malta would argue that economically there has been that lack of solidarity on other issues.

Regarding the recent events involving migrants, there is an element in our DNA regarding coffin ships, leaving our shores to flee poverty and hunger. The Irish experience has a greater understanding of the plight of those who have been sealed into the bulks and hulls of ships in the Mediterranean.

War is coming nearer to Europe and this is an indication of it. How do we respond to it? We have two different approaches. There is an election across the water where one of the main issues is migration. Parties there are claiming this is not the way forward. What impact would it have on Ireland if we had 10,000 people landing on our shores, looking for asylum and supports like what is happening in Italy? We need to look at the legal route that people can actually use to come to Europe, opening it up to those who have skills and for those fleeing poverty, famine and conflict.

It is a scandal that Operation Mare Nostrum was wound down. The Italian Navy had saved 100,000 people but the EU in its wisdom decided differently and pulled those ships back, relying on merchant shipping to deal with the issue. I presume this was to save money. Operation Mare Nostrum cost €12 million a month while the new Frontex costs €3 million a month. It is saving money but at the cost of the lives of hundreds of people. There is a ten-point plan but it is not up to scratch.

The committee needs to examine this issue. To assist us in this, it might be useful for the committee to bring in some of the ambassadors from the countries directly impacted. Over the past several weeks, 20 migrant boats came into Greece alone. We all know what Greece is going through, so it is understandable there will be tensions in those countries too. This is a whole European problem that needs to be solved within Europe. One country having to shoulder the unfair burden of dealing with this matter is wrong.