Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday, I raised the issue of the refugee camp at Calais, known as the Jungle. I wish to raise it again this morning. I welcome that time is being provided next week for a debate on this matter. The Tánaiste will be aware of the crisis across Europe in terms of child refugees, some 10,000 of whom it is estimated have gone missing. Meanwhile we are seeing distressing scenes from Calais as the refugee camp is dismantled. As late as last night dozens of unaccompanied minors, child refugees, were left in the camp. Aid workers report that approximately 100 of them slept rough, many of whom were disorientated and wandering around on their own. I am appealing today to the Tánaiste and the Dáil as a whole to act collectively on this matter, by way of a common motion, specifically in respect of child refugees in Calais and that we resolve as an Oireachtas to move speedily to bring to safety 200 of those child refugees.

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