We will now discuss the constitution of the International Organisation for Migration which has been in existence since 1951. It is proposed that Ireland should join the organisation. I invite the Minister to speak about the proposal.
International Organisation for Migration.
The constitution of the International Organisation for Migration is in the form of an international agreement to which states may become parties.
Migration is becoming an increasingly important national and international issue for Ireland and Ireland is playing its part in responding to refugee - asylum seeker issues that result from complex emergencies as well as supporting other countries' responses to identified specific migration policy and operational needs. In this context we are working much more closely with organisations such as the International Organisation for Migration which has a 50 year track record of dealing with this global and complex phenomenon.
Last year my Department entered into agreements worth nearly €1 million with the IOM for programmes in the Balkans and in Afghanistan. We are also interested in the IOM's migration initiative for Africa which aims to address the brain drain through the return of qualified nationals, strengthened relations with the diaspora and the management of remittances.
The IOM is working closely with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, in the development of programmes for assisted voluntary returns by asylum seekers. A pilot voluntary assisted programme is currently under way with the IOM for asylum seekers and irregular migrants. The programme has a target of 200 returns per annum based on decision of the individual concerned. It allows the individual to prepare for return and reintegration while avoiding the stigma of deportation.
On behalf of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, the IOM is currently undertaking a comparative study of international legislation and practice in the field of immigration. This will assist the Department in its work in the development of new immigration legislation. The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, strongly supports Irish membership of the IOM. The IOM has recently opened an office in Dublin. Membership of the IOM will give Ireland the opportunity to participate in discussions on international migration policy and practice, to be involved in future developments in this area and will also be of practical benefit to the Departments and agencies involved. Ireland and Spain are the only EU partners which are not members of the IOM and a large number of African countries are also seeking membership.
What is the membership fee or levy?
It is €65,000 for this year.
I have to make an honest admission, I never heard of the International Organisation for Migration but I would be interested to hear a little more about it. Apparently it is in existence for over 50 years. Why are we interested in it now? What is the central purpose and ethos of this organisation? Who joins it? Is it countries which have an immigration problem? Is the reason we were never involved in the past because we had an outflow of people from Ireland? Is it to assist countries who see immigration flows as illegal? If that is so why is it that a large number of African countries seek membership? Is it to deal with immigration flows on the African continent? Its headquarters is in Geneva. When one thinks of Geneva one thinks of UN type organisations and Mary Robinson who is finishing her term of office. How big is the organisation? What is its annual budget? How many does it employ? To get a further fix on it, it seems to help us here in relation to our immigration problem, yet there is a reference in the Minister's note to the fact that we are funding it in respect of its activities in Afghanistan and the Balkans. What type of organisation is it and does it fly on two wings? Does it deal with immigration as well as helping with an aid programme? My problem is lack of information on this little known organisation. Is it a front for any embarrassment we might have in relation to our inability to deal with immigration flows and asylum seekers? Is this the reason we are getting involved with the International Organisation for Migration at this stage? Will the Minister give us a better outline of what this organisation is all about?
It is represented in over 80 countries. Its Dublin office in Marlborough Street has two members of staff who would love to meet the Opposition spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and explain in detail its intricacies and give a résumé——
Does anybody know they are there?
It is open only a few months. The point the Deputy makes is true. The immigration, asylum seeker, refugee issue is an issue for us now in a way that it was not ten or 15 years ago when Ireland had the opposite problem. At that time the issue was emigration rather than immigration. It is appropriate that Ireland be part of this organisation. These are issues which are relevant to us domestically and are no longer issues of far off lands. They are issues for us to deal with and we should shape, influence and learn from the best policy in practice by being full members.
The International Organisation for Migration, whose headquarters are in Geneva, was set up in 1951 by the Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration to assist in the resettlement overseas of European refugees, displaced persons and migrants. The IOM has now expanded its activities to cover all geographical regions and is regarded as the principal international, intergovernmental and humanitarian organisation charged with migration. Its focus is on managed migration. It has six service areas, namely, assisted returns, counter-trafficking, migration and health, movements - which includes resettlement, repatriation and transport, information and technical co-operation and capacity building. Its current membership is 86, including all of our EU partners with the exception of Spain. A large number of African countries are in the process of becoming members of the IOM. Because of drought, famine and conflicts, the refugee flow in Africa has become severe with many tribes moving from conflicts or because of food shortages or bad governance. Quite apart from migration from Africa to Europe or the US, there is within the continent of Africa a serious problem that needs to be addressed. That is the reason it is taking up membership of IOM. The IOM made an important contribution at the recent European Union migration conference which was held in Brussels and at which Ireland was represented by the Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.
The IOM is active in many areas of concern from an Irish foreign policy perspective such as assisting refugees returning from West Timor and the evacuation of thousands of Kosovars. IOM's role and emergency response is guided by its long experience in dealing with population displacement in post-conflict and natural disaster situations. Ireland is currently supporting IOM activities in Afghanistan and the Balkans, and in 2001 entered into agreements with IOM worth €917,100.
The IOM's initiative in migration for development in Africa addresses the negative consequences of the brain drain through the return of qualified nationals to which I referred in my earlier contribution. It includes a focus on migrant rights, including issues such as access to health care and shelter, and legislation.
The IOM has secured an Irish Government tender to undertake a comparative study of immigration policy including legislation and practice in order to assist with a review of Irish immigration policy. The IOM together with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, is currently implementing a pilot programme of voluntary returns by asylum seekers. The pilot project will run for one year and will be specifically tailored for the two largest asylum seeker communities, namely Nigerian and Romanian nationals. The programme has a target of 200 returns in a year. The IOM has been in discussion with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform on information campaigns in migrant-sending countries in Europe and Africa. The IOM is also carrying out a comparative study of immigration policy including legislation and practice in order to assist with a review of Irish immigration legislation. The growing relationship between Ireland and the IOM led in November 2001 to the opening an IOM liaison office in Dublin by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The new office employs two people.
Membership of the IOM would be a sign of Ireland's commitment to playing its part in responding to refugee-asylum seeker issues and would also provide practical benefits to the Department and agencies concerned. It would also enable Ireland to have an input into the policy of what is becoming an increasingly influential body in an area of considerable significance to us.
The financial obligation of Irish membership of the IOM would be on the basis of an assessed annual contribution to the organisation's administrative budget. This year the Irish contribution is assessed at 0.335% of the budget or approximately €65,000.
Does the €917,000 which we provide to support operations in Afghanistan qualify as aid?
Yes. It comes out of our aid programme and supports part of the humanitarian activities there.
Would our annual budget contribution be classified as aid?
The contribution to this organisation comes out of Vote 39.
It has the status of development co-operation——
Yes, it is for humanitarian purposes for dealing with asylum and refugee issues in Afghanistan and other places.
Is it agreed that Ireland joins? Agreed. We will inform the Dáil that we see no objection.