Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

890. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which a co-ordinated humanitarian effort throughout Europe remains a possibility, in the context of the refugee crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38396/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The scale of the migration challenge facing the EU is an enormous one requiring a comprehensive and coherent response. The political and economic circumstances behind the displacement of millions of people must be addressed, if the flow of migrants is to be managed. The conflict in Syria (which is the biggest driver behind this year’s migrant flows) has led to the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. More than 12 million Syrians have been displaced from their homes, of whom over 4 million are refugees in neighbouring countries. The Foreign Affairs Council of 12 October confirmed the EU’s commitment to mobilise all appropriate instruments and policies to support efforts to address the root causes of migratory flows, including political instability, poor socio-economic development and poor governance. The Council expressed its support for diplomatic efforts by the United Nations to find solutions to the conflicts in Syria and Libya, major drivers behind the mass displacements of people. The Council also called on the international community to provide greater support to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), the World Food Programme (WFP) and other programmes and agencies assisting refugees. EU leaders agreed at the 23 September European Council to provide €1 billion in funding to the UNHCR and the WFP. An emergency summit on migration via the Balkans called by the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Junker was held on 25 October. The heads of state of Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Romania and Slovenia met their counterparts from non-EU states Macedonia and Serbia to discuss the challenges of dealing with the increase in migration along this route. The leaders agreed to a 17-point plan, with the goal of improving co-ordination, including measures aimed at increasing shelter capacities, border registration and naval operations. In addition, an additional 100,000 places in reception centres are to be made available along the route from Greece to Germany, half in Greece and half in the countries to the north .

As part of its efforts to develop a comprehensive strategy, the EU recently organised two high level conferences. On 8 October, a conference focusing on migration flows into the EU through the Eastern Mediterranean and Western Balkans route took place in Luxembourg attended by both Justice and Home Affairs and Foreign Ministers. The Conference issued a Declaration endorsing a five-pronged approach to addressing the migration challenge. Next month, an international summit focussing on migration will be held in Valletta. The Summit will bring together EU and African leaders to identify, agree and launch actions to jointly address immediate and long-term migration challenges.

The EU and its Member States collectively are leading the international response to the refugee crisis. Since 2012, more than €4.2 billion have been mobilised for assistance to Syrians in their country and to refugees who have fled.

For our part, Ireland has been supporting those affected by the Syria crisis since 2012, and by the end of 2015, our total support for the Syrian people over this period will reach at least €41 million. In addition, a member of Ireland’s Rapid Response Corps with expertise in water and sanitation issues has been deployed to assist UNHCR’s current work in the Balkans. Irish Aid’s response to the Syria crisis is our largest effort for a single crisis in recent years. In addition, our naval service continues to be deployed in the Mediterranean and has to date rescued almost 8,000 people.