Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

While I am speaking on the subject of migration policy, I want to clarify a matter. During statements on migration and the refugee crisis on 28 April, I reacted to remarks made in the House by Deputies Mick Wallace and Clare Daly by making a rather flippant remark about Deputy Wallace's visit to Dunkirk and Calais. I subsequently apologised to Deputy Wallace outside the House but I now wish to apologise formally to Deputy Wallace on the record of the House.

With regard to Deputy O'Brien's points, Turkey remains an essential partner in attempts to manage the current migration crisis. The European Union and Turkey have engaged deeply on developing joint approaches to the migration crisis. I take seriously the Deputy's point and I have conveyed the concerns at the highest level. EU Heads of State and the Government in Turkey reached an agreement at the March European Council. The EU refugee facility for Turkey is a direct follow-on from that agreement and provides the financial support of €3 billion to underpin the deal. Some €2 billion of this funding will be from member state contributions assessed on a GNP basis by the Commission. Ireland's assessed contributions to the facility over a four year period will be almost €23 million, including €5 million this year. I am conscious that these moneys will go solely towards the relief in the form of humanitarian response.

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