Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

417. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the action the Government is taking to support Greek authorities in view of the number of displaced refugees currently in detention centres and refugee camps in Greece; the safeguards the Government has put in place to ensure that the rights of refugees are being safeguarded and their human rights upheld; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20647/16]

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

Ireland has deployed seven rapid responders to Greece and the Balkans since mid-2015 through Irish Aid, our overseas development and humanitarian assistance programme managed by my Department. These experienced specialists have provided, and continue to provide, much needed surge capacity to our UN partners’ refugee response operations on the ground, helping to improve water supply and sanitation services in camps and other settings and to improve the delivery of protection services to refugees. Three of our responders remain on deployment in Greece at this time. In April the European Commission announced €83 million under a new Emergency Assistance Instrument to improve living conditions for refugees in Greece, with funding made available immediately to the UNHCR, the International Federation of the Red Cross and six international NGOs. These partners will be working with Greek NGOs who have the necessary local knowledge. The Greek Government, working with the European Asylum Support Office, the UN High Commission for Refugees and other agencies, is currently conducting a mass pre-registration programme in the mainland refugee camps which they hope to complete by the end of July.