Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin North Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I have attempted to address many of the questions raised over the course of the question-and-answer session. Deputy Boyd Barrett asked me whether I accept that the invasion and bombing of Iraq destabilised the whole region. On a personal basis, I do, and the question now is what we do from here on.

I do not think we have seen anything near the peak of this crisis. This is the largest movement of human beings across Europe since the Second World War. In terms of our voice, we raised it within the corridors of power in the EU and will work as a collective within it. I would not want the Deputy to be under any illusion that we do not do that. As a collective we are stronger and our voice within the EU will be heard.

I am conscious that our response stepped up to the mark and went beyond what was expected of Ireland in terms of our acceptance of 4,000 refugees. It focused the attention of other countries which were not doing as much as they should have been doing. I accept that part of the issue in that region is an historic reaction to what happened in the past and that is why we cannot make same mistakes again.

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