Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

My colleague sends his apologies for not being able to be here but I am pleased to be able to take this matter. The Government recognises and the Minister, in particular, has argued that the migration crisis confronting Europe is a major challenge that needs to be urgently addressed. It is not a straightforward fix but something on which we need to get a handle. Otherwise, the ordinary men, women and, indeed, babies and children about which the Senator just spoke, will continue to die making these dangerous crossings into the EU, including the Mediterranean and Aegean seas.

The terrible events in Ukraine have shown us that the need to flea can arise anywhere in the world. Migration is not just something that happens to other parts of the world, but it does indeed have wide-ranging causes and effects and can impact anyone, anywhere. The world currently faces an unprecedented series of humanitarian crises such as the food-security crisis which is indeed exasperated by Russia's aggression against Ukraine. These, in addition to longer-standing issues of poverty, instability and lack of opportunity, leave many people feeling that their only choice is to leave their home and risk perilous journeys to what they hope will be a better life. These journeys all too often end in tragedy.

Ireland has consistently stated that it believes migration should be safe, orderly and regular and we are absolutely committed to the global compact for safe, orderly and regular migration which was agreed in the UN in 2018. This followed on from the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants, co-facilitated by Ireland in 2016, where UN member states recognised the need for a comprehensive approach to human mobility and enhanced co-operation at the global level. The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration aims to reduce the risks and vulnerability that migrants face at different stages of migration, by respecting, protecting and fulfilling their human rights and providing them with care and assistance.The global compact aims to reduce the risks and vulnerabilities migrants face at different stages of migration by respecting, protecting and fulfilling their human rights and providing them with care and assistance. It also seeks to address the legitimate concerns of states and communities on the issue of migration and strives to create conducive conditions that enable all migrants to participate in and contribute to socioeconomic development.

We have consistently urged effective action at EU level. We fully support EU efforts to deal with the migration issue comprehensively and holistically, including through resettlement and increased legal pathways for migration; addressing root causes of forced migration, which the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Coveney, has championed and stressed, particularly among our African colleagues; and reforming the common European asylum system. We need to prevent the crossings and behaviour mentioned by the Senator by offering other solutions to people.

Migration is a huge challenge for many of our partners, including our front-line partners, some of which have been mentioned by the Senator. They include Greece, Italy and Malta. We have consistently urged the need for fairer burden-sharing and have stated there must be greater solidarity and responsibility on the part of all if any progress is to be made. Progress is slow, which is extremely frustrating. We are continuing to engage constructively in discussions on the Commission's migration pact proposals, which offer a template for the kind of collective response I have outlined and that is needed by the EU to address this crisis.

Regarding our own response, we have tried to step up wherever and whenever possible. Since 2015, Ireland has accepted nearly 3,800 people under the Irish refugee protection programme. The current phase will see Ireland welcome up to 2,900 people between 2020 to 2023. This includes people who have been forced to flee Afghanistan.

Of course, we have to date also welcomed over 50,000 Ukrainians fleeing Russia's illegal war and invasion. I have no doubt that this number will increase.

Ireland is supporting humanitarian responses worldwide with an allocation of €113 million for Irish Aid's humanitarian action in 2022, including funding of €24 million to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR.

Ireland has also provided humanitarian assistance, in solidarity with other member states, by pledging to take people rescued in the Mediterranean and to process their applications for international protection. Where there are issues in the Mediterranean, Ireland has never been found wanting. Where our help has been sought, we have always stepped up and made sure that help has been offered. By way of example, we were very pleased to welcome 21 asylum seekers, transferred from Malta last year, as a gesture of solidarity and humanitarian assistance. These actions are a vital part of upholding our responsibilities in helping those fleeing the most harrowing of circumstances, such as war and persecution.