Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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With regard to the Chairman's opening question on the matter of the interdepartmental committee on human rights, which was established in 2015 with the objective of improving the coherence of the promotion and protection of human rights, I believe work is ongoing. A number of meetings have taken place. I do not have up-to-date information since the recent Government formation but I would be happy to forward this to the Chairman and to record his anxiety that this committee complete its work programme.

Reference was made to the matter of stability fund support, which has a budget of €4.4 million for 2016. It funds a range of organisations, including United Nations bodies, NGOs and those which engage primarily in the promotion of human rights and the rule of law in international peace building through a range of activities. I would happy to keep this committee informed of that work.

Deputies Darragh O'Brien and Noel Grealish raised the issue of migration and I am conscious of the Chairman's comments that we will not have a detailed discussion on the matter today. While acknowledging that it is a matter for the Department of Justice and Equality and for the Minister, Deputy Fitzgerald, with regard to Ireland's domestic mandate, I would be happy to engage at some future date. This matter has been on the top of the EU agenda for more than a year. A number of initiatives have been developed to address it, including a comprehensive package of relocation and resettlement, in the course of which the Government has approved taking up to 4,000 refugees and asylum seekers. Progress on the resettlement has been good. We have already taken in more than half - 273 of what had been pledged - and we are on course to meet the target of 520 refugees by the end of 2016.

With regard to relocation, the progress has not been as we would have liked. It has been slow but it has been slow for everybody across the EU for a variety of reasons, many of which are not under our direct control, including operational difficulties and administrative issues. We have already received our first family of ten and we have pledged for a further 30 which we hoped will be filled very shortly. However, this is an issue which it primarily falls to the Minister of Justice for Justice and Equality, Deputy Fitzgerald, and I am in direct contact with her.

I will now turn to the situation in Turkey. I have noted the concerns raised by Deputy O'Brien. It is important that the agreement between the EU and Turkey adheres fully to international human rights laws and practices. This has been acknowledged by the European Union and was a part of the discussions. It is, and continues to be, a matter of concern to us but we continue to keep it firmly on the agenda. The measures agreed to in the EU deal with Turkey comply with international law with particular reference to the protection of human rights. Migrants will be protected in accordance with the relevant and appropriate international standards. I note the comments made by Deputy O'Brien in respect of the use of the expenditure by the Turkish authorities. We are at all times anxious that these moneys are expended towards the provision of shelter and safety to the many migrants putting extreme pressure on the authorities in Turkey. That is an ongoing process and I would be happy to keep the committee and the House fully informed.