Ms Suzanne Keatinge:

Deputy Crowe asked about looking after our own position. That is valid but it is also important that we resist the narrative that these people are here to take our jobs. It is important to note that good analysis is coming through on the economic benefits of migration. A recent report of the IMF states that aggregate GDP across the 28 nation-EU will rise by 0.13% in 2017 as a result of the current trend in migration.

Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked about the lack of collaboration by NGOs. It is appropriate for Dóchas to hear of this and I will not defend it in any way. We have to constantly seek ways of collaborating and that is what we are trying to do in Ireland. Reference was made to the coalition and it is very important that domestic and international NGOs are coming together to look at the multiple aspects of this problem. Deputy O'Brien asked about the level of consultation among NGOs and I agree that there needs to be more of it. I am not aware of anything having been planned ahead of the summit but there is a briefing, though not a consultation, by the Department of Foreign Affairs at 3 p.m. today. We would welcome more dialogue on this.