Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the ambassador, Mr. Sutherland and Mr. Killoran to the meeting. I acknowledge the difficulties faced by the ambassador's country and also the significant role it plays and the measures it has implemented to tackle the very pressing humanitarian crisis on its shores. All countries in the European Union must participate and assist Italy in taking these measures. One cannot blame migrants or refugees for wishing to find a better life. As Mr. Sutherland said we have a history of seeking better lives for ourselves and we must acknowledge that people regard the European Union as an attractive destination. No one can blame anyone for wanting to better his or her life. Those of us in politics try to encourage people to find ways of bettering their lives.

Every country has a responsibility. Ireland has a target of providing 0.7% GDP for overseas aid. While we have maintained the monetary supports we have not quite reached the target of 0.7% but there is an onus on countries to continue to support overseas aid and to continue to improve the economic lives of those countries where migration begins. This would be a means of limiting the desire of people to leave those countries. We must acknowledge that the unrest in Syria and other places has added to the humanitarian crisis and the resulting movement of people.

However, we cannot have an open-door migration policy. Mr. Sutherland referred to the UK and UKIP and the other extreme right-wing parties which are using immigration as a means to stir up fears. They talk about the shortage of housing because immigrants are being housed or the shortage of jobs because immigrants are getting jobs. We see the concern in the UK which might explain its reluctance to take in more people. I agree with Senator Reilly about how that message should be sold. If one can argue that one's country cannot afford to do things because we have to spend the money on other people, that is the politics of this issue.

The ambassador referred to Germany and Sweden in particular. Germany has a need for workers as its population ages. Does this type of economic rationale explain why Germany is taking in more people? If a country needs more workers will it open its doors to immigrants? I refer to the time of the Celtic tiger in this country when we were regarded as an attractive country and there was an influx of people. I acknowledge that this country and all countries in the European Union need to do more to deal with this crisis. It cannot be left on the shoulders of one country. I commend Italy on the role it has played over the past months.