Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 March 2012
83 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the fact that under the MIPEX index, Ireland has the least favourable family reunification policy of any country in Europe or North America; if he intends for Ireland to opt into Directive 2003/86/EC on the right to family reunification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13864/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraDirective 2003/86/EC on the right to family reunification falls within the scope of Title V of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Ireland, like the UK, has not to date exercised its option to participate in the Directive. While the issue of Ireland's participation in is kept under review, there are no current plans to change the position.
As I indicated in my press release in early January which set out my key priorities for 2012, I intend over the course of this year to put in place guidelines for family reunification. Clarity is important in that respect and it is also necessary to get the right balance between the aspirations of those seeking family reunification and the sometimes competing demands of the wider society, not least at a time of major economic difficulty.
As regards the Migration Integration Policy Index (MIPEX) I note the ranking referred to by the Deputy. However, without evaluating the methodology used and the accuracy and completeness of the information compiled in respect of Ireland I am not in a position to comment on its significance or relevance. I should also add that the Immigration Service of my Department does not appear to have been consulted by the publishers of the study in question.
