Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The EU's current policies are shameful, very damaging and dangerous. It is appalling to see the EU pride itself on human rights while systematically pushing people away from its shores and leaving them to suffer in overcrowded camps on Mediterranean islands. The EU-Turkey deal has placed in danger the very concept of refugees and the protection it offers. Tá ceisteanna ann, fiú, faoi bhunús dlíthiúil an pholasaí seo, ach anois tá an Coimisiún ag iarraidh é seo a leathnú amach go 16 tír eile.

For months Médecins sans Frontières has detailed how the EU and third countries deals to expel asylum seekers are having dire humanitarian consequences. As a State we have prided ourselves on our aid role in the world. In that context, will the Minister explain why he and his Department are not listening to the concerns expressed? Why is he not standing up for the human rights for some of the most vulnerable people in the world? These new deals would impose trade and development aid cuts on countries that do not stem migration or facilitate forcible returns while rewarding those countries that do. It disincentivises fair treatment of refugees.

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