Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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101. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the Government's position on the new policy of the United States Government in respect of the removal of undocumented children from their parents; if his attention has been drawn to reports of the conditions of the detention centres in which these children are being held; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27107/18]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Irish people have been rightly appalled by the images which have recently emerged of immigrant children being separated from their parents at the southern US border and held in detention by the US authorities. I have no desire to become involved in a US domestic debate about immigration. Clearly, every state has the right, indeed the duty, to police its own borders and to enforce its immigration laws. This duty should, however, be discharged in the case of all countries in line with their international obligations and with respect for the human rights of all involved, especially children.

Ireland, as a State party to the Convention to the Rights of the Child, is of the view that in all actions that involve children, the best interests of the child should have primary consideration.

I therefore urge the US government to immediately reverse this policy of separation.