Skip to main content
Normal View

International Protection

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 May 2021

Tuesday, 11 May 2021

Questions (412)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

412. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he continues to influence the international community and European countries to ensure they play their part in resolving the refugee crisis throughout Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24680/21]

View answer

Written answers

I have repeatedly urged the need for greater solidarity and burden-sharing among EU Member States in dealing with the issue of migration. We must find more sustainable solutions involving consensus among Member States based on solidarity and responsibility. Otherwise ordinary men, women and children will continue to die, as nearly 700 have already done seeking to cross on the Mediterranean and Atlantic routes this year.

We fully support EU efforts to put in place more effective and humane arrangements to manage the considerable migratory pressures which Europe continues to face. The EU Commission’s “New Pact on Migration and Asylum” represents an opportunity to renew and intensify efforts to agree a common approach and put in place such arrangements. Although the Pact proposals are currently being analysed to assess their implications for Ireland, we support EU efforts to deal with the migration issue in a comprehensive and holistic manner, including through resettlement and increased legal pathways for migration; addressing root causes of migration and reforming the Common European Asylum System.

With conflict the main driver of humanitarian crises, prevention and response to humanitarian crises is a key priority during Ireland’s term on the UN Security Council, and is central to ‘A Better World’, Ireland’s policy for International Development Cooperation.

The world is facing an unprecedented series of humanitarian crises. The United Nations estimates that more than 80 million people have suffered forced displacement and that half of them are children. This is more than at any time since the Second World War. More than 26 million of these people are refugees. Ireland’s humanitarian response focuses on the most severe crises, providing more than €100 million through our UN, Red Cross and NGO partners on the ground.

Since 2015, Ireland has accepted nearly 3,800 people under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme. This included 1022 asylum seekers (including six unaccompanied minors) from Greece under the first phase of the Irish Refugee Protection Programme. The next phase of the IRPP will see Ireland welcome up to 2,900 people between 2020 to 2023. This new phase of the programme will build on the important work that we have been doing since 2015 and is a vital part of upholding our responsibilities in helping those fleeing the most harrowing of circumstances such as war and persecution.

Question No. 413 answered with Question No. 405.
Question No. 414 answered with Question No. 380.
Top
Share