Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. The Minister of State with responsibility for European affairs, Deputy Thomas Byrne, spoke with his Greek counterpart on 9 September, immediately after the fire and offered Ireland's full solidarity and support. The Greek Government has requested assistance from its European partners in dealing with the immediate humanitarian need. Without question this tragedy has highlighted the need for urgent action on the part of the EU to address the current migration situation in the Mediterranean. The European Commission is due to publish a major new proposal on reforming the European Union migration and asylum system, a new Pact on Asylum and Migration in the coming weeks. We will work closely with our EU partners to progress efforts in that regard.

On unaccompanied minors, the German Presidency of the EU has requested that 400 such minors who were resident at the camp be relocated to other EU countries. My colleague, the Minister with responsibility for children, disability, equality and integration, Deputy O'Gorman, has confirmed that he is working with Tusla to arrange for the swift reception into Ireland of a group of four unaccompanied children from Moria in the coming weeks.

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