Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses very much for their presentations and for the very clear way in which they have outlined the major issues we face. The summit in September is an ideal opportunity for Ireland to take leadership on this. I have a couple of questions for both Ms Keatinge and Mr. Clarken, or whoever wants to take them. I would like the witnesses' views on the third party arrangement, the partnership framework on migrants, if one takes the EU-Turkey deal to be the first such deal. I asked a parliamentary question about this. Are the witnesses aware that the EU has five other deals in the offing with Niger, Nigeria, Mali, Ethiopia and Senegal, plus another ten on top of that?

When we talk about Ireland taking a lead in response to our concerns, it is my clear view that Ireland cannot take a lead if it just becomes part of an European bloc in respect of migration. I would like to know the views of witnesses in regard to the further roll-out of the migration partnership frameworks with third countries. The witnesses clearly outlined their view, which I share, that a diminution of the rights of asylum seekers and refugees in these situations is clearly happening.

My second question relates to Ireland taking a lead in dealing with migration. Ireland is miles behind on its commitments. The most recent figures I secured on 20 July 2016 in response to a parliamentary question are that 273 people were here on the resettlement programme, while under the relocation programme, which is most urgent, 38 people were brought to Ireland.

How often do NGOs receive updates on the roll-out of the programmes? We made a commitment to take 4,000 people, which is lower than the number of people that Irish citizens would like to help. There were major commitments. Ms Suzanne Keatinge mentioned the words of Uachtarán na hÉireann in regard to empty promises and commitments and fine words. The reality is the pathetic numbers who have been helped. We have to get past the stage where we blame the processing system in Greece and other countries. We sent seven officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to assist in the speeding up of the process. What commitments have the Government given to the non-governmental organisations who are represented at this committee to expedite this programme? If Ireland is to lead, it can be asked how it proposes to lead these programmes when effectively it has brought in just over 300 people, having made a commitment to take in 4,000. I put it to witnesses that our credibility is shot in that regard, notwithstanding the long record we have, in particular on official development assistance, ODA, in respect of funding.

Ms Keatinge made the point that funding should be additional to our ODA commitments. I use the example of the €20.9 million that Ireland has committed under the EU-Turkey agreement. Have the organisations received any commitments? I have sought information on commitments but have not got it in respect of whether all the money is being spent specifically on refugee and asylum seekers' care and not security or border posts, or trying to restrict people's movements. I wish to hear her view on that. The committee will be seeking further commitments from Government in that regard.

I know that on 9 September 2015, the Government had a round-table meeting with all NGOs to try to respond to this crisis in a cohesive way. Are there plans for another round-table meeting in advance of the UN summit? Has the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Flanagan, or the Minister of State at the Department, Deputy McHugh, made contact to have another round-table meeting to follow up on our progress in the past year in meeting our commitments? I am not laying everything at the door of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, but these officials can actually speed up the process. All the members of this committee are fully committed. I know the point Mr. Jim Clarken was making in respect of the Brexit campaign and the rise of xenophobia, following the anti-asylum seekers, anti-refugee and anti-foreigner rhetoric that appals all people. I wonder how clear Mr. Clarken is on what Ireland's message will be at the UN summit.

I may have more questions later, but that is enough for the present.