Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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342. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will consider sending officials from his Department to assist and to promote Ireland as a favourable destination for refugees and unaccompanied minors in particular, in view of the reports that fast-track migrant centres in Greece and Italy are overwhelmed; the details of discussions he has had to this effect with his counterparts in the Department of Justice and Equality, and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25830/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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Ireland chose to voluntarily Opt In to EU arrangements to relocate migrants from Greece and Italy and accept up to 4,000 refugees and asylum seekers both on humanitarian grounds and as a gesture of solidarity with our partners in the EU. For administrative and other reasons, progress in receiving migrants has been slower than anticipated, as it has in many other EU member states. However, in recent months the pace has accelerated. We have now taken in 779 persons on resettlement, and 459 persons under relocation, and this includes some 600 children. These figures are expected to increase in the coming weeks and months.

The Deputy will be aware that operational matters relating to refugees and unaccompanied minors coming to Ireland through the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) are matters for my colleagues the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, who chairs the IRPP, and, in respect of unaccompanied minors being cared for in this jurisdiction, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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343. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether the chemical attacks on civilians in Syria shows the need for a greater effort by Ireland in taking in refugees from the region fleeing this war; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25836/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I was horrified by news of the chemical attack against civilians at Khan Sheikhoun in April. At that time, I unreservedly condemned the attack, which killed over 80 people and injured many more, including children and babies.

The attack further underlines the need for accountability and a genuine political transition in Syria. The search for a sustainable peaceful resolution to the conflict, and, as part of that, ensuring full legal accountability for all war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Syria, is an international priority for Ireland.

In December of last year Ireland co-sponsored UN Resolution 71/248 which included a decision to establish an “International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism to assist in the Investigation and Prosecution of those Responsible for the Most Serious Crimes under International Law committed in the Syrian Arab Republic since March 2011”. Earlier this month, I announced an initial contribution to the Mechanism of €100,000.

The question relating to the reception of refugees is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality.