Clare Daly (Dublin North, Socialist Party) | Oireachtas source

This report on refugees is a devastating indictment of current international policy. One person is displaced every four seconds and men, women and children are being uprooted from their communities. The report is useful in revealing that, contrary to the myth prevailing in the West about an invasion of refugees from these war torn countries, most refugees end up in bordering countries that are also developing and impoverished, with the result that their struggles for life become even more difficult. Germany is the only EU member state in the top ten host countries. As 55% of refugees come from war torn countries, it is clear that international policies are directly linked to this displacement of people. We must examine these policies. Syria was the country which experienced the largest increase in refugee numbers. What is the international community doing about that? It has decided to arm the opposition, which means there will be even more refugees while peace talks are delayed and people refuse to sit down to find a solution.

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade has stated that he is deeply concerned about the indiscriminate use of drones in contravention of international law, as well as about the number civilians they kill. However, he also stated that he sees no prospect of an agreement on banning drones. What is the Government going to do to help countries that are victims of conflict and poor international policy? Will it make a stand for diplomacy and against the types of barbaric activity that drive so many people out of their homes?

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