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

The Minister's response misses the point to some extent. This issue is not being raised in the context of the budgetary implications for Médecins sans Frontières. The point is how seriously it demonstrates its concern about this policy and the implications for very vulnerable people who are fleeing war-torn countries. Médecins sans Frontières has said: "Deterrence policies sold to the public as humanitarian solutions have only exacerbated the suffering of people in need. There is nothing remotely humanitarian about these policies." It is disgraceful that rather than maximising the number of people we can welcome and protect, Ireland is supporting the EU in its efforts to maximise the amount of people it can push back into dangerous and volatile situations or back to Turkey which has a very poor record on human rights violations.

Is the Minister aware that it is not only Médecins sans Frontières raising this matter and that 104 NGOs have also signed this statement which condemns these agreements? Some of the NGOs are based in Ireland. Perhaps the Minister will clarify if he has met or if he will meet Médecins sans Frontières or any of these organisations to discuss their concerns.

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