Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

The EU's response regarding refugees fleeing from persecution in the last decade, particularly in recent years, has been shameful. It has allowed people to drown in the Mediterranean. That is a fact. It has also allowed this camp on Lesbos to fester. Pictures on BBC and RTÉ television of people living in the camp show them living in conditions worse than those for animals and the EU has let that happen.

I refer the Minister of State to the EU's commitment. Ireland has stated that it will only undertake to accept 36 children from this camp but only eight children have been accepted thus far. Why is progress so slow? I refer back to Dr. Claire Dunne's analysis of the camp. She stated that EU member states should show solidarity and give people sanctuary, which is what they are asking for, and not to be treated like animals. Ireland should respond better than it has done and should take more of these unaccompanied children. I cannot comprehend what it is like to be in such a situation without parents. We should hold out our hands, accept more children from this situation and give people hope and a home.

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