Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
110. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on calls for the full publication of all details of the memorandum of understanding between the UN and Myanmar. [33227/18]
View answerSince the latest escalation of violence in Rakhine State, Myanmar, in August 2017, approximately 700,000 members of the Rohingya community have fled across the border to Bangladesh. The people and government of Bangladesh have demonstrated extraordinary generosity in receiving such a large influx of refugees. I remain extremely concerned at the ongoing situation in Myanmar and the plight of these refugees who are living in extremely precarious conditions in overcrowded refugee camps. Ireland remains unwavering in its wish to see conditions that will enable the voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return of these Rohingya refugees to Myanmar in compliance with international human rights norms and the principle of non-refoulement. An intensive political effort by the international community to pursue this aim continues, and on 6 June a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was agreed between the Government of Myanmar, the UN High Commission for Refugees and the UN Development Programme, to establish a framework for cooperation between the parties aimed at creating conducive conditions for the voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable repatriation of these refugees from Bangladesh to their places of origin. The MoU also aims to help create improved and resilient livelihoods for all communities living in Rakhine State.
I welcome this MoU as an important first step and hope that it will form a basis to allow constructive dialogue between international partners and the government of Myanmar, while also allowing the voices of the refugee community to play a key role in determining their future.
While the text of the MoU has yet to be fully published, a number of details have been released. In relation to calls for the full publication of the MoU, I would welcome the release of additional information as the parties take the necessary steps required to build on the aims of the MoU. Nevertheless, I believe that the primary focus at this important inflection point must be on making much-needed progress towards creating a safe pathway back to Myanmar for those who have been displaced. This MoU can provide a vehicle for constructive engagement and dialogue with Myanmar.
I will continue to monitor the progress of this MoU very carefully, including through our Embassy in Bangkok which is keeping in close touch with agencies and counterparts locally in Myanmar. In addition, Ireland will continue to actively engage with the EU and other international partners to press for progress in resolving this crisis as well as contributing to the international humanitarian response, including through the Irish Aid Rapid Response facility and the provision of direct funding in the amount of €1 million in 2017 with an additional €1 million allocated for 2018.
