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

Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirligh. Cuirim fáilte roimh na finnéithe to the meeting this morning. Deputy Darragh O'Brien raised the progress on the EU-Turkey agreement and that Turkey is a country of safe origin. Do the witnesses have a view on that, particularly in respect of the latest attempted coup and the idea of an EU partnership deal which rewards countries which will try to stem the tide of migration to Europe and facilitate forcible returns?

One witness spoke about the shock and horror at the drowning of Aylan Kurdi and the urgency generated by this incident at that time.

Do the witnesses have a sense that this urgency still exists, particularly in light of people linking migrants to the recent attacks in Europe? I am conscious that people at home are listening to this debate. How would the witnesses respond to those who believe the crises in housing, health and education mean we have to look after our own people before taking in those from other countries? I am conscious that we need to bring those who hold such beliefs along with us as we make changes.

What do the witnesses think the UN Summit for Refugees and Migrants can realistically achieve? Would they have concerns about Ireland's decision to adopt the EU position rather than its own unique position? They outlined a number of key points in that regard. What should Ireland be saying separately from the EU? Should Ireland adopt the EU position?

I wish to ask the witnesses about unaccompanied children and the background to their arrival in Europe. Reference has been made to a child who died on a beach. There seems to be a lack of urgency from Europe and from Ireland with regard to these children. Some of the figures in this respect have been mentioned. Will the witnesses give us some background details? Where are these children coming from? Are they travelling alone? Were their parents killed while they were travelling or were they separated from them? Are they travelling to meet family members in other parts of Europe? Why is there such a lack of urgency among European countries in respect of this matter? One would have thought that children in these camps would be met with a humanitarian response. The witnesses outlined the difficulties that such children can face, such as being pulled into crime and sex work.

Reference has been made to the Palestinian situation. Many of the Palestinians who are coming from Yarmouk in Syria are arriving in Greece and are deemed to be UN migrants. There is a difficulty when they arrive in Europe. Could the witnesses outline the difficulties faced by those who are officially UN migrants or refugees but who, when they arrive in Europe, are not being treated as such for some reason?

I think Ireland is contributing €19 million to the EU asylum, migration and integration fund, which is available to countries within Europe. Are the witnesses aware of how this fund is being spent? Is there is a lack of transparency regarding what it is spent on, particularly in Ireland? I understand that countries receive between €6,000 and €10,000 per resettled person. It almost seems that there is a blanket ban on information regarding how it is spent in Europe. I would be concerned if it were invested in direct provision, for example. I do not think that is the right area. Are there concerns in respect of Europe? Is it a question of building borders? Where is this money being spent? It is clear that it is not all being spent. It seems crazy that this money is not being spent at a time when there are huge difficulties in some countries, particularly southern countries such as Greece and Italy.

There is a direct correlation between conflict, climate change and migration. According to a new report, some €1 billion is being spent on arms that are being transported to Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates and then put into direct use into the conflicts in Syria and Iraq. The countries that are selling those weapons have an appalling stance on migration. They do not seem to see the direct correlation. Countries that are involved in bombing campaigns are among the first to close their borders to migrants who are fleeing conflicts. I suggest there is some hypocrisy in our position on that.