James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Acting Chair. The Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, sends apologies for not being able to be here. She has other business in the Dáil Chamber. I support the amendment to the motion tabled by Senators Ruane, Higgins, Black and Flynn on behalf of the Minister, Deputy McEntee. I thank the Senators for their motion and for their contributions to what is a very important and sometimes contentious issue. The Minister, Deputy McEntee, welcomes the opportunity to have this important discussion.

I will begin by joining Senators in expressing my deep sadness at the news of the recent tragic shipwreck off the coast of Greece and the many reported deaths. Unfortunately, we had news this weekend of yet another tragic incident and I offer my sincere condolences to all those who have relatives and friends who lost their lives. These are truly tragic incidents that have left many people bereaved or searching frantically for loved ones. That is a situation we see all too often. The Minister, Deputy McEntee, wishes to assure Senators that support is being provided to those affected. EU agency staff are supporting the work of the Greek authorities on the ground and the European Union Agency for Asylum is covering interpretation needs, among other things. The EU's task force for migration management in Greece is in constant contact with the national authorities and the European agencies to ensure those affected receive appropriate assistance.

I am sure Senators will agree that this tragedy, and others, is a stark reminder that European member states must continue to work together to break the business model of traffickers and smuggling networks, and to tackle the root causes of irregular migration so as to better address the flows of migrants and avoid people embarking on such perilous journeys. Migration is a European challenge that requires a European response and we should work with our European counterparts to ensure that safe, orderly and well-managed migration can be achieved. Senators will be aware of the increased focus on the external dimension of migration at a European level and the proposed co-operation and mutually beneficial partnerships with third countries of origin and transit. Over the past 18 months, the European Commission has presented action plans for ten priority countries, for the western Balkans, and the central Mediterranean routes. These action plans cover a wide range of issues, including returns and readmission, border management, conditionality, targeting people smugglers, illegal migration pathways, and addressing the root causes of migration. There has also been important progress at European Union level on the pact on migration and asylum. Published in September 2020, the pact sets out a new approach to migration bringing together policy in the areas of migration, asylum, integration and border management. It recognises that the overall effectiveness of the asylum system depends on progress on all fronts. Senators will likely be aware that on 8 June, the European Union justice and home affairs ministers reached agreement on two of the most central legislative Acts of the pact, namely, the asylum and migration management regulation, and the asylum procedures regulation. This is the first stage in the adoption of these measures and the agreement will form the basis of negotiations with the European Parliament. The Government recognises the obligation placed upon it to promote and protect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all migrants, regardless of their migration status. In particular, we emphasise the importance of a gender-responsive approach by states to migration that contributes to achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all migrant women and girls, who face particular vulnerabilities.

We continue to stress this commitment to human rights and fundamental values, both at European Union level and at global fora. Ireland regularly co-sponsors resolutions on the human rights of migrants at the United Nations Human Rights Council and the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly. We are among only a few EU member states to do so. These resolutions refer to the obligations on states to protect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of migrants, regardless of their migration status, in accordance with their obligations under international human rights law. The safety of migrants and refugees and refraining from the excessive use of force in upholding their human rights in accordance with international law must remain a priority for the international community. Regarding funding to third countries, we are deeply concerned by human rights abuses against civilians, including migrants and refugees, wherever they may occur. We are aware, as is the European Union, that conditions in migrant detention centres in Libya in particular are not acceptable. However, it is very important to note that the European Union has not provided funding to Libya for the purpose of detaining migrants and refugees. What is has done is provide funding to improve conditions in migrant detention centres. The European Union fully recognises that conditions in which Libyan citizens, migrants and refugees are detained in that country remain deeply alarming. However, it believes that without EU action, the situation would be much worse. More broadly, the overwhelming focus of the EU's action in Libya is on the protection of vulnerable migrants and on community stabilisation. Its key partners in Libya are international organisations such as the International Organization for Migration, IOM, and the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, as well as EU member state institutions, NGOs, and the Red Cross.

Senators raised the mandate of Operation Irini in their motion. Following Government and Dáil approval, the LÉ William Butler Yeatscommenced operations with the Operation Irini mission in the Mediterranean on 21 June. Operation Irini is an EU military operation in the Mediterranean, comprising aerial, satellite, and maritime assets primarily tasked with supporting the implementation of the UN arms embargo on Libya. While capacity-building and training of the Libyan coastguard is part of the operation's mandate, the Irish Naval Service personnel will not engage in this activity when participating in the mission. Indeed, Ireland has formally declared caveats to this effect with the operational headquarters in Rome. With regard to the issue of search and rescue, the motion approved by the Dáil includes an amendment to the effect that the naval vessel participating in Operation Irini will be subject to the obligation, under international law, to provide assistance to those in distress at sea. This reiterates the pre-existing obligation on Ireland, under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and an obligation to which the Naval Service would have to honour whether in the context of Operation Irini or otherwise.

Senators also raised the comprehensive partnership package with Tunisia, which was recently announced by President von der Leyen, in their motion. The Tunisian economy has been in crisis for much of the last decade. As regards migration, Tunisia has replaced Libya as the main country of departure to Italy and now accounts for more than half of the total number of arrivals there. We remain concerned by the developments in Tunisia and advocate that the values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law continue to be reflected in any partnership. They are important in themselves, as well as for stability and investment. The Minister, Deputy McEntee, assures the Senators that the Irish humanitarian assistance is focused on the areas of greatest need, which are generally the location of the majority of displaced persons and refugees. In the face of escalating humanitarian needs globally, Ireland's funding for humanitarian responses has increased steadily in recent years. We provided more than €280 million of humanitarian funding in 2022 and the figure will likely be higher for 2023 by the end of this year. The office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is one of Ireland's largest humanitarian partners and recipient of funds. We continue to actively support its work in often complex and dangerous environments, and total funding from Ireland to the UNHCR has risen consistently from €9.8 million in 2015 to more than €25 million in 2022. Ireland is committed to supporting efforts to ensure migration is safe and legal and that we have routes that are safe and legal, orderly and well managed. We will continue to advocate for full respect for human rights and the fundamental values. On behalf of the Minister, Deputy McEntee, I again thank the Senators for bringing forward this motion and for the opportunity to discuss this important issue.