Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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1186. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the proposals he will put forward at the next meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in relation to the current refugee crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32261/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The plight of refugees fleeing conflict and upheaval in the EU’s southern and eastern neighbourhoods is of deep concern, and one demanding a comprehensive and coordinated response from the EU. Within the EU, Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) Ministers have primary responsibility for matters related to immigration\asylum and refugees. The agenda for the next Foreign Affairs Council has yet to be finalised. Moreover, the situation is evolving rapidly, and there are to be special meetings of both the Justice and Home Affairs Council and the Heads of State and Government today and tomorrow, respectively, to discuss the issues involved. If migration is on the agenda, the Deputy can be assured that, for my part, I will actively participate in discussions at the EU Foreign Affairs Council, underlining the urgent need for the EU to do all it can to address the migration crisis in as comprehensive a manner as possible, as well as examining what more can be done to address its root causes. Over recent months I and the other Foreign Ministers on the Foreign Affairs Council have intensified our efforts to address the root causes of migration flows, including poverty and conflict.