Written answers

Tuesday, 4 December 2018

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

International Agreements

Photo of Mattie McGrathMattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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119. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland will be a signatory to the UN global compact for migration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50252/18]

Photo of Seán HaugheySeán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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126. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the United Nations global compact for migration and asylum seeking; if the Government proposes to sign up to this compact; the issues he is considering in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50405/18]

Photo of Ciarán CannonCiarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 119 and 126 together.

The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration will be adopted at the UN Intergovernmental Conference which will take place in Marrakech, Morocco, on 10-11 December next.

The Compact, though non-binding and respectful of national sovereignty, provides a strong framework for global cooperation on migration in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Ireland is supportive of the Global Compact, and efforts to ensure that migration, when it does occur, is safe, orderly and better managed. The Compact represents common ground for cooperation between countries and regions which have very different perspectives on, and experiences, of migration.

Ireland was proud to co-facilitate, with Jordan, the New York Declaration in 2016 that led to the Global Compacts on both Migration and Refugees; we have played our part in achieving this multilateral effort to address an issue of common concern.

This is against a background where individual States cannot address challenges relating to migration alone. For example, cross-border efforts are essential if human smuggling and trafficking is to be reduced. Ireland is also supportive of efforts to address the root causes of forced displacement and irregular migration, including through our participation in the EU Trust Fund for Africa.

The Department of Justice and Equality take the lead role on the implementation of the Global Compact for Migration, and my Department is also engaged on the preparations for the UN Intergovernmental Conference in Marrakech. Ireland will be represented by the Minister for Justice and Equality, Charles Flanagan T.D.

Finally, the Global Compact will be adopted at the Conference by consensus (or a vote may be called, with a two thirds majority required) after which the Document will be presented to the UN General Assembly for final and formal adoption, probably later in December or in January 2019.

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