Vol. 485 No. 1
5 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the view, if any, he and his colleagues in the General Affairs Council of the EU take in relation to the immigrant issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22366/97]
The General Affairs Council has not expressed a view on the general question of immigration, although it may consider specific matters arising in this area within the context of its overall responsibility for the external relations of the Union.
As the Deputy is aware, substantive responsibility for co-operation within the Union in the fields of justice and home affairs, including the area of immigration policy, rests with Council meeting within its Justice and Home Affairs formation and, therefore, comes within the remit of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
The General Affairs Council has a supervisory role and the Minister for Foreign Affairs accompanies the Taoiseach to European Council meetings. These issues are growing in importance given the possibility for racial tension here and the example of such tension in other EU member states, some of which has resulted in the loss of life. A huge number of emigrants from Ireland live abroad; about 800,000 people of Irish birth live in the UK. Eleven and a half per cent of the population of greater London are of Irish birth or are children of those born here. The Irish are the largest group of immigrants in Britain. This example occurs throughout the world.
Given that so many Irish people live abroad, we should take particular interest in the issue of immigrants. We should take the lead to ensure there is a constructive, balanced and fair approach to housing, social services, community relations and the right of residence. A comprehensive approach needs to be taken.
I agree the General Affairs Council has a supervisory role. Title six of the Treaty on European Union provides a framework for co-operation within the Union in the fields of justice and home affairs, including immigration policy and policy regarding nationals of third countries. The General Affairs Council retains overall responsibility for the external relations of the Union and in this context can discuss pertinent political or humanitarian aspects where large numbers of people are fleeing a country.
However, substantive responsibility for immigration falls within the remit of Ministers for Justice and Home Affairs. A discussion took place at the General Affairs Council meeting on 8 December last when Ministers exchanged views on political aspects of the influx of immigrants from Northern Iraq, taking account of the debate at the Justice and Home Affairs Council on 4 December. The Council mandated COREPER to consider the matter and Ministers agreed to take it up at a future meeting with a view to debating the underlying causes of the influx of refugees.
Also at the meeting on 8 December, Ministers had an informal and inclusive discussion over lunch about the requirement of Bulgarian and Romanian nationals to secure visas for entry to the EU. Similar aspects have been discussed in the cases of former Yugoslavia and Albania. This is not an exhaustive list of discussions which may have taken place over the years at the General Affairs Council. An annual report on achievements in the field of justice and home affairs is submitted to the General Affairs Council and then to the European Council.
The Amsterdam Treaty allows for the transfer of certain immigration and visa issues from the third to the first pillar. The treaty has not been ratified and will not be put to referendum and in other cases, parliamentary approval, until the first half of next year. Will the Minister ask his colleagues on the General Affairs Council or the appropriate council to consider an ad hoc arrangement where the Commission will be asked to act on immigration as if the Amsterdam Treaty was passed and to start preparing comprehensive Europe wide policy issues of a compassionate, balanced and fair nature?
I am not certain whether that is practical or possible but I will look at it and come back to the Deputy with any information. I subscribe to his point of view.
