Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 178: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the ongoing tragedy of persons seeking to leave Africa in favour of life in Europe, many of whom seek to reach the European Union involving dangerous journeys to, amongst others, the Canary Islands and Malta; and the proposals the Irish Government have made at EU level with regard to regularising the status of such persons and to improve their situation and in particular to ensure that these dangerous sailings at which high numbers of those travelling have perished will be halted. [18664/07]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The issue to which the Deputy refers is one of considerable concern within the EU. The harrowing scenes we have witnessed recently clearly demonstrate the need to make rapid progress in developing a comprehensive European migration policy. This policy must take into account development issues, legal migration, integration, border control, readmission and the fight against illegal migration.

Ireland has consistently supported a strengthening of dialogue and cooperation on migration issues with other regions, including North and Sub-Saharan Africa. The European Council, at its meeting in Brussels on 21-22 June 2007, underlined the importance of closer cooperation with third countries in managing migration flows. There is an urgent need for specific partnerships with third countries aimed at developing a more coherent migration policy. These partnerships need to combine measures aimed at facilitating legal migration opportunities — while respecting Member States' competences, including on the regularisation of status issue, and the specific needs of their labour markets — with measures designed to fight illegal migration, protect refugees and tackle the root causes of migration.

There is considerable sympathy for the plight of those who come to Europe in open boats at great risk to their lives. This human tragedy is a further reason why development policies must play an important part in our response to illegal migration, and in helping to ensure that these extremely hazardous journeys, with their tragic consequences for many of those travelling, are no longer with us. Specifically in relation to Malta, I am pleased to say that Ireland was one of five Member States who accepted a number of programme refugees who landed in Malta in the past 18 months.