Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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494. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he and his European Union colleagues continue to focus on issues arising in the wake of the Arab spring with particular reference to those countries now in a state of civil war; the extent to which the humanitarian element of the refugee crisis continues to be the centre of focus; the likely actions required to address the emerging issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45674/15]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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498. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the United Nations can exert a positive influence on the issues arising from the various wars throughout the Middle East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45678/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 494 and 498 together.

Conflicts and crises in the wider Middle East region continue to be of great concern to the international community, and to feature prominently on the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council. Some of these conflicts have followed directly from the events of the Arab Spring, when authoritarian regimes were challenged and in some cases overthrown. Others have arisen separately. There are active conflicts at present in Libya, Syria, Iraq and Yemen, and unrest or terrorist attacks in several others.

The United Nations is also actively engaged in efforts to resolve all these conflicts, with Special Representatives of the Secretary General leading attempts to convene or advance political processes as alternatives to fighting. The EU seeks actively to support these efforts in whichever way it can.

All of these conflicts give rise to very serious humanitarian concerns, both in relation to the violence inflicted on the civil population and the necessity to cope with consequent flows of displaced persons and refugees within the region and further afield.

I have reported to the Oireachtas in more detail on all these conflicts, and will continue to do so.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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495. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the European Union is likely to speak with one voice in addressing the humanitarian and refugee issues arising from conflict in the Middle East; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45675/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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The scale of the migration challenge facing the international community is enormous. The conflict in Syria - the biggest driver behind this year’s migrant flows - has led to the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. But the problem is bigger than Syria. An estimated 60 million displaced people worldwide are on the move, the highest since World War II. They are coming not just from Syria but from such places such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Gaza and a dozen or so countries in sub-Saharan and North Africa.

For most of this year Migration has been at the very top of the EU agenda. There have been no fewer than five special meetings of Justice and Home Affairs ministers devoted to migration while Heads of State and Government have debated the issue in three special councils. I and my foreign minister colleagues have also addressed the issue many times this year.

In June, the Foreign Affairs Council launched EUNAVFOR Med, the EU’s naval operation to disrupt the dangerous activities of people smugglers in the Mediterranean, which have tragically resulted in the loss of many lives. As the Deputy will know, the crews of the L.E. Niamh, Eithne and Samuel Beckett have done sterling work in saving more than 8,500 lives.

In September, the Government decided accept up to 4,000 asylum seekers and refugees as part of the European Commission’s comprehensive plan to address the migration crisis.

As part of its efforts to develop a comprehensive strategy to address the refugee crisis, the EU organised two high level conferences earlier this year. 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 JHA and Foreign Ministers. The Conference issued a Declaration endorsing a five-pronged approach to addressing the migration challenge.

On 11/12 November EU Heads of State and Government met their African counterparts at a migration summit in Valletta. They agreed to establish a Trust Fund to address the root causes of migration in Africa. The €1.8 billion Fund is to be augmented by EU member state contributions. Ireland is contributing €3m.

On 29 November, there was a key meeting of EU Heads of Government with Turkey in Brussels at which the EU agreed to provide a financial package worth €3 billion to help Turkey accommodate the more than two million refugees residing in the country. As part of the agreement there is to be a concerted effort by Turkey to stem the flow of irregular migrants through its territory. This agreement – or Joint Plan of Action – presents a real opportunity to stem the flow of such migrants into the EU.

The scale and complexity of the Migration challenge means that there are no quick fixes. But in the past year the European Council, the Foreign Affairs Council, the Justice and Home Affairs Council and the General Affairs Council have adopted an extensive programme to address the crisis in the short, medium and long-term.

I trust the Deputy will agree that these initiatives demonstrate both the united approach of the EU, and its determination to see the refugee crisis resolved as soon as possible.