Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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151. To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on the European Union summit held on 21 September 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32767/15]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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There were two significant EU meetings on the migration/refugee crisis during the week beginning 21 September.

The first, an extraordinary Justice and Home Affairs Council, on 22 September, agreed a proposal to relocate 120,000 people in need of international protection. This means that 120,000 people seeking asylum will be relocated to other EU Member States from Greece, Italy and any other State which may be hit by a sudden inflow of nationals of third countries. In a clear demonstration of solidarity with our EU partners, Ireland has committed – subject to Oireachtas approval - to opt in to this decision on relocation, as we have also committed to do in regard to the previously agreed programme to relocate 40,000 people. The Minister for Justice and Equality will be seeking the approval of the Oireachtas for the exercise of the opt-in and officials in her Department are following up with the relevant EU authorities on the next practical steps involved.

The following day, 23 September, there was an extraordinary meeting of the European Council on the crisis. There is broad agreement that a comprehensive approach is required to this complex issue, one which addresses both immediate humanitarian needs and the various factors which contribute to huge flows of people. Progress is being made on many of the measures agreed at the April and June meetings of the European Council, including on reinforcing internal solidarity within the Union, developing ‘hotspots’ (specific locations for the processing of asylum appeals) and increasing co-operation, with or support for, those countries from which most migrants originate or through which they pass. Increasing our support for the UN and other agencies working with refugees and displaced persons is another priority. Targeting criminal people-smuggling operations is also key. Seeking to end the conflict in Syria itself – and creating conditions to allow for those in exile to return – obviously remains fundamental.

Clearly, however much more remains to be done to implement these decisions and develop them further. Justice Ministers will be working on a range of further proposals recently made by the European Commission and the European Council will return to the issue of migration at its scheduled October meeting. In addition, Heads of State and Government will meet with our African counterparts in Valletta in early November, with a view to agreeing a Declaration and an Action Plan that would support initiatives to tackle the migration crisis more broadly.