Eric Byrne (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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I apologise for being so late. We were in session next door at the Joint Committee for Foreign Affairs and Trade dealing with somewhat the same issue.

This international problem is creating terrible riots within the European family. I am thinking in particular of the position of Hungary and Slovenia as two examples of unsympathetic and unco-operative European countries. Having said that, however, it is important to point out - this would be my personal belief - that this is not just a European problem, it is a worldwide problem. It is not going to be solved exclusively by the EU because the areas of conflict are outside the EU. In a sense, we are victims of other crises where there is an overspill from refugee camps in Lebanon, Jordan and Turkey. They are overflowing and thus travelling from Turkey into Greece.

What is the position of the European Commission vis-à-visthe world response to this international issue? We have the UN, including the UNHCR dealing with refugees. I was asked by my local imam, when I was in his mosque after Friday prayers a few weeks ago, to explain why I thought all these Muslims are coming to Europe. I could not think quickly enough as to what the answer was. We are a liberal democracy and hopefully they see us as being free, open, accommodating and friendly. However, what is the role of the rest of the world in working through the UN to resolve areas of conflict? There is an important role for Iran, Russia and the UN. Saudi Arabia could have a role to play too. This is a worldwide conflict and we are trying to address it as Europeans. Can Ms Nolan explain the position of the European Commission vis-à-visother organisations such as the UN or the Arab League?