Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

Regarding the Deputy's view that we should be appropriately and properly represented at these conferences, I am sometimes present at conferences to pledge financial assistance and sometimes not. Sometimes this is merely a matter of tactics as we might be asked informally by other donors, who are trying to raise money at such conferences, to make our pledge in advance, as the French say, pour encourager les autres — to encourage the others to pony up and provide assistance. Our role in these matters can vary depending on the requirement. If there is a perception that a particular fund will be under-subscribed and is not receiving sufficient support, we may pledge in advance because we have a reputation in the area.

We will be appropriately represented at the conference and we are prepared as a country and a Government to respond to any request regarding programme refugees, wherever it comes from. At the moment we accommodate programme status refugees through the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform as it makes decisions in this matter in conjunction with us. We have a standing commitment that was made in 2005 to take approximately 200 refugees annually when requests are forthcoming.

My Department is responsible for assessing people arriving after the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform decides to respond to a request from the international community. Such requests come from the United Nations and other international organisations. A formal request procedure exists and we have not yet, to my knowledge, been subject to a formal request, diplomatic or otherwise, to increase the level above 200 programme status refugees. As in the past, we are prepared to be generous on this subject and I take on board the Deputy's point that this is not simply a matter of making Irish money available. We are prepared to make moral and other commitments to ensure the conflict in the Middle East is brought to an end. This has been the reputation of Irish foreign policy through the years, notwithstanding changes of Government.

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