Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The European Commission set out a new results-oriented concept of co-operation with third countries on 7 June 2016, known as the migration partnership framework. Draft migration compacts were drawn up for the first five priority countries identified: Niger, Nigeria, Mali, Senegal and Ethiopia.

The objective of these migration compacts is to: improve co-operation on readmission and return of those not entitled to reside in the EU; prevent irregular migration and counter smuggling and trafficking in human beings; reinforce the current international protection system for refugees in the partner countries; and, crucially, address the root causes of irregular migration. Ireland has consistently been very clear in all discussions on the EU's response to the migration crisis that addressing these root causes is essential and that the actions which the EU takes, using instruments which are funded primarily from development budgets, must be used for development and humanitarian activities.

Discussions within the EU and with the priority countries as outlined are continuing, and a progress report was presented by the European Commission to the European Parliament, European Council and the Foreign Affairs Council in December 2016. The progress report details the co-operation to date with the five priority countries, and sets out the early results, notably reduced irregular migration and increasing returns. Despite making some headway, notably in Niger, progress on the partnership framework will require time and commitment to achieve significant results.

Ireland supports migration compacts as a key instrument to stem irregular migration and prevent human trafficking and will continue to engage positively in the process. We are in particular involved in work on that with Ethiopia, one of Irish Aid's key partner countries.

Human rights and humanitarian values are at the core of the EU and member states' approach under the partnership framework. The EU and its member states are committed to enhancing human rights safeguards in all negotiations on migration and mobility and to ensuring co-operation frameworks with third countries are built on these principles.

Issues relating to non-refoulement are, in the first instance, a matter for my colleague the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality. I am advised that the partnership framework approach does not impact upon Ireland's legal framework or procedures in respect of the deportation of persons from the State, including with regard to the principle of non-refoulement. Before any decision is made to deport an applicant, the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality has to be satisfied that the applications made by the person concerned for asylum, for temporary leave to remain in the State and for subsidiary protection, together with all refoulement issues, were fairly and comprehensively examined.

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