Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank all colleagues who at 1 p.m. today in front of Leinster House joined members of the Bosnian community to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Srebrenica massacre during the genocide that occurred 20 years ago this July. Also today, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, following representations made to him, has issued a statement officially commemorating the genocide from an Irish perspective. This is in keeping with the European Parliament resolution of 2009 which called on the Council and the Commission to commemorate appropriately the anniversary of the genocide and support the recognition of 11 July across the European Union as a day of commemoration of the Srebrenica massacre. I anticipate that next year, to mark the 21st anniversary, we will have more official events taking place to commemorate the genocide.

I commend the crew of the LE Eithnewho this week are due to finish their tour of duty in the Mediterranean where they have saved the lives of many hundreds of migrants seeking to enter Europe. It is important that we see a proper transnational migration policy adopted across the European Union. I look forward to this happening and ask the Leader for a debate early in the next term on migration policy with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade or the Minister for Justice and Equality.

A briefing has just been held for Members interested in discussing the amendments being made to the Employment Equality (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, Report Stage of which is to be taken on Thursday at 3 p.m. I know that a number of colleagues have submitted amendments, but there will also be a number of Government amendments to the Bill. Briefing notes are available to anyone who wishes to have them. The Government's amendments have been circulated.