Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In a previous incarnation, I was honoured, along with the late former Deputy Des O'Malley and former Deputy Michael O'Kennedy, to participate in the formulation of the European Charter of Fundamental Rights. That was a great honour for all of us, for me in particular. At that juncture, all of the issues that eventually came to pass were discussed in all their facets and variations. We, the so-called advanced and developed countries around the globe, have a greater obligation than we have collectively shown to deal in an honourable fashion with the refugees who are fleeing from all kinds of hardship, slavery, persecution, prosecution and death.

We are not trying to press-gang the Minister of State into doing something that is not possible at this stage. However, I support the suggestion by Deputy Howlin that, if at all possible, the Minister of State postpone the decision for the moment and have some further consultations with his Department and colleagues, with a view to finding out if it might be possible to arrive at an acceptable formula that would eliminate the possibility of throwing out the good and bad together and recognise the need to put in place a life raft - no pun intended - for those who are genuinely in danger and suffering trauma, distress and stress. It would be ever remembered afterwards as a humanitarian gesture, when few gestures were available. We are not trying to force the Minister of State into making that decision. I know he is a very humanitarian Minister of State and fully accepts and understands all the facets that have been discussed today and will be discussed again, whichever decision is made. However, it would be worthwhile to consider the suggestion made by Deputy Howlin. It would have long-lasting benefits in that it would shine a light on an issue that has not been faced up to by most of the European Union.

The people outside the European Union are those who are in jeopardy. They believe the European Union is all things to all people, and to a certain extent, they are right. It is a means of protection. From time to time, opportunities will come for the European Union to show its concern in a meaningful way. I do not expect one country, or this country, to be the sole provider of assistance, but it is necessary. It is the right thing to do, and it could be done with a little imagination and concern for those who are less well off than ourselves.

We were refugees for long enough from this country. Thousands of our people emigrated in appalling circumstances and conditions, on coffin ships and so on. We learned the realities of going to countries where we could expect a welcome and those where we could expect none. We always adhered to the principle that we were willing to deal with others in a way that we would like to be dealt with ourselves - no better or no worse. That is a basic expectation.

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