David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this very important issue this evening. I am here on behalf of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, who cannot be here tonight. This area overlaps with the responsibilities I have with respect to issues of refugees and immigration.

The Deputy is correct in that Europe is facing its greatest migration and refugee crisis since the Second World War. There is no doubt about it. Conflicts and instability, including in some states in Africa and the Middle East, have led to more than 60 million displaced persons globally. Against the backdrop of this humanitarian crisis, record numbers have sought to reach the European Union, often, as the Deputy noted, undertaking desperate and perilous journeys across the Mediterranean and Aegean seas at the mercy of ruthless and exploitative people smugglers. The European Union has collectively taken concrete steps to address the crisis and measures have been adopted in support of Italy and Greece, which jointly received more than 1 million migrants and asylum seekers last year alone.

On 10 September 2015, recognising that we do not face the same migratory pressures as many other member states, the Government voluntarily agreed to establish the Irish refugee protection programme and to accept up to 4,000 persons in total under the European Union's resettlement and relocation programmes. Under this programme, Ireland is prepared, willing and ready to receive people. The mechanism by which the balance of the 4,000 people is to be admitted will be determined based on future developments at EU level. It is expected these numbers will be augmented further by family reunifications.

The figure of 4,000 people includes approximately 2,600 asylum seekers to be admitted from Italy and Greece under the EU relocation programme and 520 refugees, which the Government has committed to taking in by the end of 2016 under Ireland's refugee resettlement programme led by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR. Ireland is well advanced in fulfilling our commitments on resettlement, with 263 refugees admitted to date from Lebanon and the balance expected to arrive by the end of September, also from Lebanon.

The pace of the relocation programme across the European Union has been slower than we would have wished. If greater numbers are made available by the Greek authorities, we will be in a position to process greater numbers in line with our commitments. The Tánaiste and her Department have already provided four experts to support the implementation of the programme, with two in Italy and two in Greece. They are open to providing further assistance upon request. We have also nominated liaison officers to both Italy and Greece to support our identification of relocation candidates.

A Syrian family of ten has been relocated from Greece to Ireland and granted protection. Very shortly, another group of 31 Syrians will arrive in the State. A further 40 people are provisionally scheduled to arrive the following month, with a regular intake of between 40 and 60 persons arriving every eight weeks by agreement with the Greek authorities. Ireland and other member states are working with the Italian authorities to try to overcome the impasse regarding proper security clearance procedures in line with the commitments already endorsed by this House.

To break the dangerous business model of people smugglers and remove the incentive to seek irregular routes into the EU, the EU-Turkey statement agreed by the Heads of State or Government on 18 March outlined a number of clear action points for implementation. To support the implementation of this agreement, the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality has nominated six international case work experts to the European Asylum Support Office to assist the Greek asylum service in the implementation of the admissibility procedure and performance of vulnerability checks. In addition, Ireland has also offered the services of two members of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal to support the establishment of appeals committees.

The Deputy also referred to the closing of the refugee camp in Greece. It is my understanding that no official camp exists in Idomeni. Exploitative people smugglers have encouraged desperate asylum seekers to congregate on the Greek border with Macedonia by spreading misinformation to suggest the border crossing will soon re-open and allow them continue their journey to destination countries, including Germany and Sweden. The Deputy pointed out that the conditions where many vulnerable women and children have gathered are unsanitary and unsafe. I understand from Greek authorities that their intention is to move asylum seekers to reception centres, where their needs, including food and medical care, may be adequately met.

The crisis is likely to stay high on the agenda for the foreseeable future, unfortunately. Our naval vessel, the LE Roisín, is also assisting the Italian navy in the operation of humanitarian rescue missions in the Mediterranean Sea. The Deputy knows that other ships have also operated in the area. In addition to our existing commitments to provide protection to asylum seekers and refugees who reach our shores, Ireland is also working with EU partners to develop legal pathways for migration into Europe and to engage constructively with countries of origin and transit. I thank the Deputy for raising this important matter.

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