Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 December 2018
120. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans with regard to signing the UN migration pact; the reason for this decision; the potential impact this pact will have on Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51268/18]
View answer121. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to sign up to an international agreement (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51289/18]
View answer122. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the UN global compact on migration; the position of the Government on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51320/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 120 to 122, inclusive, together.
The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration will be adopted at the UN Intergovernmental Conference which I will be attending in Marrakech, Morocco, on 10th and 11th of 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 co-facilitated, 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 this multilateral effort to address an issue of common concern.
Finally, I expect the Global Compact to be adopted by the Conference 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.
