Vol. 572 No. 1
131 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on whether the Geneva Convention should be expanded to include those displaced by environmental degradation as suggested by the new Economics Foundation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22627/03]
As the Deputy is aware, policy responsibility for the 1951 Geneva Convention relating to the status of refugees lies with my colleague the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. I understand from my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, that the scope of the convention is already wide-ranging. The convention has formed the basis for the development of the EU common asylum policy and Ireland would not favour the further widening of its scope.
