21 Apr 2015, 16:28
Libyan tragedy and implications for EU migration control to be debated
21 March 2015
The Ambassador of Kenya to Ireland, H.E. Mr. Richard A. Opembe, will tomorrow meet with the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on the security situation in Kenya following the Garissa University attacks on 2 April.
The meeting is also likely to consider the latest developments in bilateral relations between Ireland and Kenya.
Committee Chairman Pat Breen TD says: “The appalling terrorist attack on innocent university students and staff, claimed by the Al-Shabaab terrorist group, has been condemned by the international community in the strongest possible terms. Tomorrow’s engagement with Ambassador Opembe affords an opportunity for our cross-party Committee to offer our solidarity with the families of the victims of the atrocity and the wider Kenyan public. We look forward to hearing from the Ambassador on the response by the Kenyan authorities and the impact of these events on the wider security situation.
“With a resident Irish embassy currently being established in Nairobi, the Ambassador’s presence will also provide an opportunity to consider the current strength of Irish-Kenyan bilateral relations.”
The Committee will also consider the issue of migration to the European Union, in light of Sunday’s tragedy off the coast of Libya which claimed the lives of over 750 migrants.
Deputy Breen continues: “Sunday’s horrific incident off the coast of Libya saw 750 migrants and refugees die on Europe’s doorstep when the ship they were crowded onto capsized. While it is the single worst tragedy involving migrants in the Mediterranean Sea, so far this year a further estimated 900 migrants have died while trying to flee Libya. The Committee will consider how best the EU and Ireland might respond to this tragic loss of life.”
The meeting commences tomorrow Wednesday 22 April at 10 am in Committee Room 3, LH 2000 and can be followed live here.
Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the move, through the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.
ENDS/
Media enquiries to:
Paul Hand,
Communications Unit,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4484
M: +353 87 694 9926
paul.hand@oireachtas.ie
Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade
Deputies:
Pat Breen, Fine Gael (Chairman)
Eric Byrne, Labour
Bernard Durkan, Fine Gael (Vice-Chairman)
Seán Crowe, Sinn Féin
Olivia Mitchell, Fine Gael
Dan Neville, Fine Gael
Ruairi Quinn, Labour
Brendan Smith, Fianna Fáil
Maureen O’Sullivan, Independent
Senators:
Mark Daly, Fianna Fáil
Lorraine Higgins, Labour
Michael Mullins, Fine Gael
David Norris, Independent
Jim Walsh, Fianna Fáil