Mr. Enda O'Neill:

The Dublin system will be reviewed by the Commission in 2016 and the response to the Mediterranean crisis is probably throwing into light some of the difficulties with that system. What is being considered is a system of relocation, where people will be taken from some of the Mediterranean countries and dispersed more widely around Europe. If this system runs at the same time as the Dublin system, where people are sent back to the country they initially entered, it is counter productive. Therefore, we must wait to see what the Commission proposals lead to and whether they will be accepted.

In regard to how the Dublin system works currently in practice, the new regulations - referred to as Dublin Three - have been in effect since the beginning of this year. These have introduced a stronger emphasis on issues such as reuniting family members and refocusing the implementation of the regulations on some of the more positive measures. There is some flexibility built into the regulations and countries do not return people to Greece because of the systemic difficulties there. The states also have discretion in regard to implementing the regulation to return refugees to other countries facing difficulties, such as Italy. There is also the flexibility to reunite family members when they are present in other member states.

As they stand currently, the Dublin regulations have some flexibility built into them, but there may be cause to review those regulations when the Commission comes up with its proposals.