Mr. Jim Clarken:

I shall make some closing comments. It is absolutely right and important to acknowledge the role of the Irish Naval Service. It is also important to acknowledge the role of Irish Aid and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in the work that is supported in many of the countries where these issues have arisen. Unfortunately, the issue must be considered in light of a juxtaposition between where Ireland sits as a member of the European Union and what the European Union is doing. The upcoming summit represents an important moment but it is only the beginning of something much bigger that we will have to continue to discuss and debate. We will have to bring people on side.

Interestingly, with regard to the question posed by Deputy Crowe on the position of the Irish public, he will remember that when those horrible images met us last year, the first people to respond were the Irish public. They offered their homes, hospitality, money and any supports they could. We should never underestimate the generosity and empathy of the Irish public in responding quickly, as long as we manage the matter carefully. That is where the leadership comes in. The work of the Parliament will be so important in making sure we do not allow the kind of rhetoric we are hearing elsewhere to take hold. Thus far, it has not taken hold. We have a very progressive view on these issues. It is echoed by what has been said here but we cannot allow the rhetoric to take hold and must ensure it is closed down.

This speaks to Ireland's position within the European Union. What the European Union has done is nothing short of disgraceful with regard to the arrangements it is making with Turkey and some of the countries that have been mentioned. We need to have a strong voice. I would really like to hear that echoed in the letter and communications that come from here outlining how people are aggrieved regarding the role of Ireland. We need to do more in this regard.

Certainly, we welcome the round-table engagement. The round-table forum was convened urgently last year. A serious commitment was made, which was welcomed by all of us who were there. However, as Deputy O'Brien mentioned, the numbers are nothing short of embarrassing. Let us make sure that if there are blockages somewhere, we find out what they are and determine how we can deal with them. How can Ireland contribute in a way that will effect change in this regard? Most important, what can Ireland's position in the world be? We are seen as a small country with a big voice and, if I may say so, a big heart. We need to see that reflected in how we respond to this crisis, both domestically and as part of EU bodies and global bodies such as the United Nations. Ireland can do this. We have great credibility.

I shall leave the closing words not to those of us who sit in the comfort of this room but to those who are languishing in refugee camps and who are essentially prisoners in Greece and other places. The following quotations are from a report that Oxfam produced called "Europe, Don't Let Us Down". It is very prescient for us today. A Syrian man in a camp in Epirus said:

Before we took our children and family over the sea, now we will take them over land. What other option do we have?

Wahid, a 37-year-old Afghan male in a camp in Epirus, said the following:

We feel we have overstayed our welcome in a country that is struggling to support itself and its own people. The Greek people have their own problems.

One of the stronger messages is:

During the journey, I found myself at risk. The ISIS men tried to rape me. When we got to Turkey, the Turks sent us back to the borders with Syria twice. They were shooting at us with their weapons. However, if you pay, you can get to Turkey again.

This was said by Maria, a 27-year-old Syrian woman in Lesbos. Mohammad, a 43-year-old Syrian male in Lesbos, stated:

I want to tell Europe that if Turkey was a safe country, I wouldn’t have risked the lives of my wife and children and put them in the boat to cross the sea. If [Turkey] is such a safe country, why don’t they let it into the EU?

Those are the voices of people who are dealing with this every day. We are just not doing enough. I hope the passion we have heard at this committee today and the commitment from everyone, which is much appreciated, can be amplified and brought to others to ensure that we gather momentum in Ireland on this issue.