Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The meeting of the European Council which took place last Thursday dealt with several issues of importance to the European Union. Above all, it focused on the complex challenge of migration. It is clear that major problems remain on the ground. This has been underscored in the past few days. However, significant progress has been made in a short period. A structured and comprehensive approach is now in place to deal with the many urgent challenges that lie ahead. Last week's meeting began with short discussions on the five presidents' report on completing economic and monetary union and on the United Kingdom's plans for a referendum on EU membership. It was agreed that we will return to both issues in December. President Hollande made a presentation in advance of the global conference of the parties on climate change, which will open next month in Paris. The European Council also noted the publication of the international and independent report into the downing of flight MH17 over Ukraine. I have asked the Minister of State, Deputy Ó Ríordáin, to touch on elements of the discussions on Syria, climate change and Ukraine in his wrap-up remarks. As I have noted, the European Council spent an overwhelming amount of its time on migration. Therefore, I will begin by speaking about that issue.

The European Council has dealt with migration on a number of occasions this year, including in March, April, June and September. If further reminder of the scale of the challenge were needed, it came when the LE Samuel Beckettrescued 102 people off the coast of Libya on the morning of the Council meeting of 15 October. The achievements of the Naval Service in the past six months are a source of great pride for the Irish people. I know I speak for the entire House when I express our deep thanks and admiration for their wonderful work. Nevertheless, the challenge remains. The European Commission came forward with a comprehensive range of important proposals in September and October. They provided the framework for the Council’s discussions. Ireland has consistently argued that the Union’s efforts must be comprehensive and must balance practical measures with a compassionate response. Our calls for solidarity and responsibility are reflected in the Council’s conclusions, which aim towards a comprehensive strategy and a determined and sustained effort over time.

One of the central components of last week's discussions was the need to co-operate with third countries. Turkey is paramount in this regard. The Commission has accelerated co-operation in recent weeks. On the eve of the European Council, it negotiated an action plan which aims to support Turkey in its current challenge of hosting over 2 million refugees from Syria and to enlist its assistance in reducing migration flows. The Turkish Government has spent some €7 billion in this area. The European Council gave its support to the Commission by welcoming the action plan and signalling its openness to helping Turkey to work within existing frameworks towards visa liberalisation and a range of forms of enhanced political and economic co-operation. It was recognised that the accession process needs to be re-energised in accordance with the negotiating structures. The relevant Council conclusions which set out the accession procedures and criteria must also be respected. The Council underscored that the comprehensive co-operation agenda must be based on shared responsibility, mutual commitments and delivery on both sides. I do not think anyone is under any illusions about how challenging it will be for all concerned to achieve the substantive step-up in relations that is now envisaged. As Turkey plays a geographically and politically central role in its region and is an EU neighbour and candidate country, it is hard to imagine solutions to the current crisis that do not substantially involve it. Therefore, we hope rapid progress can be made over the coming period on the issues set out in the action plan.

Discussions also touched on the recent conference on the western Balkans migratory route and on the upcoming Valletta summit. This latter summit will aim to find agreement with African partners in a fair and balanced manner on how to tackle the root causes of the crisis, how to support development, how to provide for effective return and readmission and how to dismantle the criminal networks that are exploiting this situation and putting lives in danger. The European Council noted the importance of funding for international efforts to support refugees in Turkey and other countries. The WFP and the UNHCR were specifically mentioned in this regard. Ireland is a significant donor and partner to both of these organisations. The European Council also discussed strengthening and protecting the EU’s external borders. This was a matter of serious discussion. The measures discussed in this context dealt largely with building on the Schengen system and enhancing the borders agency, Frontex. Although it co-operates closely with its European partners, Ireland is not a member of the Schengen area or of Frontex. Many of the issues raised, such as the possibility of a European border and coast guard system, are for other member states to consider in the first instance.

When the Council looked at the response to the influx of refugees in Europe, there was a focus on contributing member state personnel to support Frontex and the European asylum support office in the so-called "hotspots", or emergency processing centres, in Greece and Italy. Ireland recently decided to commit six experts to the European asylum support office. Preparations are under way for their training and eventual deployment to the member states where they can be of most assistance. The Council did not discuss any specific further relocation initiative, but instead resolved to keep the whole issue under review. The Commission has proposed a permanent relocation system. Under Protocol 21 to the Lisbon treaty, Ireland can choose whether to opt in to relocation measures. As this House knows, we have agreed to accept approximately 2,450 people on relocation within the EU. However, there is no obligation on us to participate in further relocation decisions if they are proposed. Ireland will monitor the situation carefully with a view to considering any further national response as and when the issue arises.

There was also some discussion of the Dublin system under which asylum seekers are supposed to register and make applications in the first EU country they enter. This is a cornerstone of the whole common European asylum system and Ireland strongly supports it. It is clear that it has been under intolerable strain in the face of the immense pressure of recent weeks and months, but equally there is a view that much can be done to improve its operation and that any reform must be carefully analysed before change is contemplated. Again, this is a matter to which I am sure we will return on the basis of European Commission analysis and proposals.

The Council discussion also included a consideration of the political and military developments in Syria which have such a dominating impact on migration. I want to draw attention to the Council’s clear statement that the Assad regime bears the greatest responsibility for the 250,000 deaths and the displacement of millions from Syria. There are, of course, other actors such as UN-designated terrorist groups who bear responsibility as well but in the end it will only be a political process on the basis of the Geneva Communique of 2012 that will move matters towards a resolution. The EU remains fully engaged in working to find a political solution in close co-operation with the UN, with special representative Staffan de Mistura and with the countries of the region. I would reiterate again, as the European Council did, that there cannot be a lasting peace in Syria under the current leadership and until the legitimate grievances and aspirations of all components of Syrian society are addressed. In the context of discussing regional conflicts, the European Council also noted developments in Libya and called on all parties to swiftly endorse the agreement negotiated by Bernadino León. The EU stands ready to provide political and financial support to the Libyan Government of national accord as soon as it takes office.

I would like to recall again that Ireland has been active in ongoing efforts to tackle the migration crisis. The Government and the Oireachtas have voluntarily agreed to accept around 4,000 asylum seekers and refugees under resettlement and relocation programmes. This is well in excess of any notional quota that might have been attributed to us by the European Commission. This includes 520 refugees whom we have offered to resettle from refugee camps, some of whom have now started arriving in Ireland. Approximately 2,450 people will be relocated from Italy and Greece and possibly other member states under the Commission proposals from June and September. A further 1,030 people will be taken on resettlement or relocation, with the final breakdown between these two categories still under consideration. As I noted earlier, we have deployed a naval vessel and full crew in the Mediterranean since June; initially the LE Eithne, then the LE Niamhand now the LE Samuel Beckett. The total number of people rescued by our naval vessels since May now comes to 7,848 and I commend the Naval Service again on its very admirable work.

The European Council discussions touched upon the work of two UN agencies. This year, Ireland’s core funding to the UN refugee agency, the UNHCR, came to €5.8 million. Furthermore, at the start of September, we committed to doubling our annual contribution to the World Food Programme from €10 million to €20 million per annum for the next three years. We also provide other supports to areas most affected by instability and conflict. By the end of 2015, Ireland will have provided a total of €41 million over the last four years towards assisting those displaced as a result of the Syrian crisis. The Irish Government provides over €80 million each year to humanitarian relief efforts around the world. So far in 2015, Ireland’s targeted humanitarian funding has reached people in countries such as Iraq, South Sudan, Somalia, the Central African Republic and Yemen. All of these measures have been supported by a swift response at home led by the Department of Justice and Equality. The establishment of the Irish Refugee Protection Programme and a new inter-departmental task force, chaired by the Minister for Justice and Equality, are important steps in the Government’s contribution to this crisis.

I would now like to turn to the issue of the United Kingdom’s membership of the European Union. As expected, at last week’s meeting President Tusk provided Heads of State and Government with a brief update on the progress of the technical work that has been under way in Brussels between British and EU officials since June. In addition, he outlined how the process will advance in the weeks ahead before the European Council returns to this issue in December. Much of the recent focus has been on the need to move forward to more detailed debate on concrete issues. I welcome, therefore, Prime Minister Cameron’s undertaking last week to write to President Tusk in early November setting out the reforms that Britain will seek. This should provide a basis for the UK’s EU partners to engage more fully with the issues and to allow for collective discussion. Ireland will play a full part in this process, which is expected to start at senior official level, and I look forward to discussions at the December European Council.

As I have said many times in this House and in other fora, the matter of the United Kingdom’s membership of the European Union is one of real national importance for Ireland. Indeed, this issue is a strategic priority for the Government. In my own discussions with Prime Minister Cameron, I have been unequivocal about how much value we attach to the fact that both our countries are members of the European Union. Given the importance of the issue, it is worth stressing once again just how closely developments are being monitored. In addition to my own discussions with Prime Minister Cameron, there are regular meetings between Government Ministers and their British equivalents. Indeed, the Minister of State with responsibility for European Affairs will meet with his British counterpart this Friday. At official level, the engagement is equally regular, with officials in my Department, our permanent representation in Brussels and our embassy in London in frequent contact with British and other colleagues. In all of these exchanges we remain clear and consistent on our position that Ireland will be open and pragmatic. We are mindful of specific UK concerns and we will be supportive where we can but we are also fully conscious of our own national interests and of the views of other member states. During the next phase of the discussions, Ireland will work constructively with the British Government and all our EU partners. Our common goal remains the same, to find a consensual basis for the UK’s continued membership of our Union.

Given the European Council's focus on the pressing migration issue, there was only a very brief consideration of the report by President Juncker and the heads of other institutions on completing the Economic and Monetary Union, EMU. The completion of banking union is a vital part of the EMU process but, disappointingly from Ireland’s perspective, there was no specific reference to this in the final conclusions. On the report itself, several member states from outside the euro area were keen to have it spelled out that future EMU debate must take place in an open and transparent manner and in full respect of the Single Market. We would sympathise with and support this approach which was reflected in the conclusions. The European Council is to revert to the issue of EMU in December. We very much favour a pragmatic and gradual approach which focuses in the first instance on steps that can be taken to more effectively implement existing instruments. The Commission is expected to publish a first set of concrete proposals this week and it is expected that these will address reinforcing the economic governance framework, including an in-depth review of the six pack and two pack and reorganising the European semester, as well as on the external representation of the euro area at the IMF and other international organisations. We look forward to examining these proposals in detail when they are published and as they are considered by Finance Ministers.

Many commentators have suggested that it will be our response to the massive waves of people who are now seeking refuge within our borders that defines what the Union will become in the years ahead. I recall that the EU was born from adversity and has always managed to survive it. While the solutions which are negotiated between 28 separate individual member states are often complex and while progress can be slow and difficult, I have great faith that with solidarity, responsibility and compassion, we will again manage to guide the Union to a prosperous and stable future.

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