Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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23. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the decision of Médecins Sans Frontières to no longer accept funds from European Union member states as a result of their opposition to the European Union-Turkey migration deal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19760/16]

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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24. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is aware that Médecins Sans Frontières, MSF, has announced that it will no longer accept funding from the Governments of European Union member states and European Union institutions in opposition to their harmful European migration policies; that this therefore applies to all funding MSF receives from Irish Aid; and if he is aware of the fact that MSF and others working on the front line of this refugee and humanitarian crisis are clearly stating that the policies currently being implemented by the European Union are putting persons in danger and are in direct contradiction with humanitarian principles. [19798/16]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I ask the Minister for his views, and those of the Government, on the EU-Turkey migration deal in light of the fact that Médecins sans Frontières has decided it will no longer accept funds from European member states due to its opposition to the deal. There has been criticism also from Trócaire, Oxfam and others about the operation of the EU-Turkey migration deal. Furthermore, is the Minister satisfied that the money the Government has committed on behalf of the Irish taxpayer towards this deal is not being spent on the strengthening of borders and security but is being spent in the interests of those seeking refuge?

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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My understanding is that we are grouping two questions together in this reply, Nos. 23 and 24.

Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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That is fine. The Minister can answer it. There can be only one introduction, but I will call both Members for supplementary questions.

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 24 together.

MSF Ireland informed my Department on 15 June that the organisation globally had taken the decision that it would no longer accept European Union or member state funding for its humanitarian programmes. It explained that MSF opposed the EU-Turkey refugee facility agreed by the European Council and believes that EU asylum and migration policies have become increasingly more restrictive and inconsistent with the organisation’s humanitarian principles. While not sharing this analysis, I respect the right of the group to take that decision and I recognise its important, continuing humanitarian role.

MSF is funded mainly by private donations. Its global income amounts to some €1 billion. In recent years, about €50 million of that has been from the European Union and its member states. Through Irish Aid, we have provided a total of €5.6 million in humanitarian funding to MSF since 2013. It had applied for further funding this year and was due to receive some €1.6 million in humanitarian funding for programmes in Africa. In view of its decision not to accept it, this funding will be reprogrammed by Irish Aid.

In regard to Turkey, I believe it appropriate at this point to place on record the deepest sympathy of the Government and the people of Ireland with the victims and families of the appalling terrorist attack on Atatürk Airport in Istanbul on 28 June. We believe that Turkey has a key role to play in tackling the migration crisis and the unprecedented level of humanitarian need caused by the Syrian crisis. The EU and Turkey have engaged deeply on developing joint approaches to the crisis, which have been discussed at meetings of the European Council, most recently in March and June. The discussions in March were framed by the set of principles agreed at the previous EU meeting with the Turkish Prime Minister on 7 March.

In the interim, the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, had advanced work on a potential agreement, to ensure that partners’ concerns were addressed and that the proposed deal was compatible with EU and international law. The June European Council noted that the legislation recently adopted by Turkey on the treatment of Syrians and other nationalities allows for the return of migrants to Turkey in full respect of the provisions of the asylum procedures directive. The EU has initially agreed to provide a financial package of an additional €3 billion, with the establishment of a refugee facility for Turkey to co-ordinate and streamline actions financed by this package. The facility provides a co-ordination mechanism for actions financed by the EU and member states. It is designed to ensure that the needs of refugees and host communities are addressed effectively and comprehensively. Ireland’s contribution over four years will be just under €23 million, starting with €5 million this year. Ireland is participating in the facility’s steering committee, which meets in Brussels.

The EU is also committed to deciding on further financial assistance for refugees in Turkey. It has also put in place humanitarian aid to assist with the provision for asylum seekers and refugees in neighbouring Greece.

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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Would the Minister not agree that the decision of Médecins sans Frontières to no longer accept funds underscores a major problem with this arrangement? From the very outset, Fianna Fáil expressed its reservations about the arrangement. I am particularly concerned about the treatment of those who are fleeing war and persecution and the fact that Turkey has been designated a safe country for refugees, even in light of its record on human rights - consider the recent shut down of media and the arrests of journalists. Médecins sans Frontières has argued that the European response - I would agree with it to some degree - has focused on deterrents rather than providing people with assistance and protection they need.

By way of a supplementary question, I ask the Minister to consider the issue of unaccompanied minors as part of this deal, or the issue of Ireland's funding. How sure are we that the funding, pledged by the Minister at the London pledging conference, is actually going to where we want it to go? Is that funding going to strengthen hard borders within Europe to stop migrants, who are being persecuted in Syria and Iraq, from fleeing in to Europe?

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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While I am speaking on the subject of migration policy, I want to clarify a matter. During statements on migration and the refugee crisis on 28 April, I reacted to remarks made in the House by Deputies Mick Wallace and Clare Daly by making a rather flippant remark about Deputy Wallace's visit to Dunkirk and Calais. I subsequently apologised to Deputy Wallace outside the House but I now wish to apologise formally to Deputy Wallace on the record of the House.

With regard to Deputy O'Brien's points, Turkey remains an essential partner in attempts to manage the current migration crisis. The European Union and Turkey have engaged deeply on developing joint approaches to the migration crisis. I take seriously the Deputy's point and I have conveyed the concerns at the highest level. EU Heads of State and the Government in Turkey reached an agreement at the March European Council. The EU refugee facility for Turkey is a direct follow-on from that agreement and provides the financial support of €3 billion to underpin the deal. Some €2 billion of this funding will be from member state contributions assessed on a GNP basis by the Commission. Ireland's assessed contributions to the facility over a four year period will be almost €23 million, including €5 million this year. I am conscious that these moneys will go solely towards the relief in the form of humanitarian response.

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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The EU's current policies are shameful, very damaging and dangerous. It is appalling to see the EU pride itself on human rights while systematically pushing people away from its shores and leaving them to suffer in overcrowded camps on Mediterranean islands. The EU-Turkey deal has placed in danger the very concept of refugees and the protection it offers. Tá ceisteanna ann, fiú, faoi bhunús dlíthiúil an pholasaí seo, ach anois tá an Coimisiún ag iarraidh é seo a leathnú amach go 16 tír eile.

For months Médecins sans Frontières has detailed how the EU and third countries deals to expel asylum seekers are having dire humanitarian consequences. As a State we have prided ourselves on our aid role in the world. In that context, will the Minister explain why he and his Department are not listening to the concerns expressed? Why is he not standing up for the human rights for some of the most vulnerable people in the world? These new deals would impose trade and development aid cuts on countries that do not stem migration or facilitate forcible returns while rewarding those countries that do. It disincentivises fair treatment of refugees.

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I will say, again, that Médecins sans Frontières is mainly funded by private donations. If it takes a view that it will no longer accept donations, that decision remains one for the charity. With regard to Turkey, it remains an essential partner in the very difficult and challenging attempts to manage the current migration crisis. The European Union and Turkey have engaged deeply on developing joint approaches to the crisis, including the deal agreed in March.

It is fair to point out that there has been a very significant decline in the number of people attempting to cross the Aegean Sea from Turkey to the Greek islands since the agreement entered into force in March. While the EU-Turkey deal faces a number of challenges, it is clear that both sides understand the importance of working well together and we will continue to do so in our engagement with our EU partners on this issue.

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister for his response. However, if one leaves Médecins sans Frontières out of the argument, then perhaps the Minister would consider Trócaire's concerns about this deal and the concerns of other charitable organisations. Trócaire has said that the EU-Turkey plan is not designed in the best interests of refugees and asylum seekers. As already referred to by Deputy Ó Laoghaire, member states are effectively being rewarded for repatriation of people who need our assistance.

What are Ireland's plans to expedite our refugee programme in Ireland? The Minister outlined figures earlier today, figures I had previously sought from the foreign affairs committee. While Ireland is not behind the European average, I believe that the European Union itself should hang its head in shame for the slow response to the human catastrophe happening right on our borders. As the crisis unfolded, there was a feeling within Ireland that we may take up to 5,000 refugees. As outlined by the Minister, we have had tens of Syrian refugees coming here. We should do a lot better and I would like to know what plans there are to expedite the refugee resettlement programme here in Ireland.

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein)
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The Minister's response misses the point to some extent. This issue is not being raised in the context of the budgetary implications for Médecins sans Frontières. The point is how seriously it demonstrates its concern about this policy and the implications for very vulnerable people who are fleeing war-torn countries. Médecins sans Frontières has said: "Deterrence policies sold to the public as humanitarian solutions have only exacerbated the suffering of people in need. There is nothing remotely humanitarian about these policies." It is disgraceful that rather than maximising the number of people we can welcome and protect, Ireland is supporting the EU in its efforts to maximise the amount of people it can push back into dangerous and volatile situations or back to Turkey which has a very poor record on human rights violations.

Is the Minister aware that it is not only Médecins sans Frontières raising this matter and that 104 NGOs have also signed this statement which condemns these agreements? Some of the NGOs are based in Ireland. Perhaps the Minister will clarify if he has met or if he will meet Médecins sans Frontières or any of these organisations to discuss their concerns.

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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My officials are available at all times to meet any groups who may request a meeting and I am sure that includes the groups referred to by the Deputy if such a meeting is sought. It is important to remember that a key element of the intensified engagement with Turkey is to assist in alleviating the suffering of those most affected by the migration crisis who are those who have had to flee their homes. The moneys allocated to Turkey will be ring-fenced so that these finances are channelled exclusively to measures to support the refugee crisis.

This includes measures to enhance health services, access to clean water, housing, education resources and other measures. Our response to the migration crisis has to include the long-term solutions that address the root causes of such large scale movements and the EU member state development co-operation programmes continue to have a key role to play in that regard. At the same time, Ireland will continue to reaffirm the principle that decisions on aid allocation and in particular humanitarian assistance should be made on the basis of need and this principle must be retained as Europe responds to the migration and refugee pressures that it continues to face.