Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I mentioned the Calais experience. I was moved by a brilliant article written by two Norwegian journalists, which won the top journalism award in Norway, entitled "The Wetsuitman". It relates to human remains in wetsuits found on two beaches in Norway and the Netherlands. It is a riveting article that traces the details of what happened both individuals. They were young people who left normal, average families in Syria because of the war, persecution and so on. They travelled all the way to Calais, where they purchased wetsuits in a local shop in the misguided belief that they could swim the English Channel. It is a sad story. Those who have different views on migration and what motivates migrants, particularly the fearmongerers, should read the article to get some understanding and feel for the complexity of what is afoot and the terrible human tragedy resulting from the war in Syria, which has given rise to the greatest refugee crisis we have experienced since the Second World War. A dramatic upscaling of effort by European leaders is needed. The situation that currently pertains in places such as Calais should not be acceptable in the EU in terms of our basic commitment to human rights and to humanity.

I appreciate that others would like to contribute and, therefore, I will leave it at that. I would appreciate it if the Taoiseach could forward the figures and schedule I asked for earlier.

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