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Disaster Response

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 September 2020

Tuesday, 22 September 2020

Ceisteanna (374)

Cian O'Callaghan

Ceist:

374. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his plans to provide emergency aid to prevent loss of life and illness and to support the evacuation of all of those made homeless by the fires at the Moria camp in Greece; if he will work with other European countries to reform immigration policies to prevent further violation of human rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25334/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am deeply saddened by the fire at the Moria camp on Lesbos and the impact this has had on the refugees and migrants based at the camp. It is a relief that there are no reported deaths or injuries, but the very sudden displacement of thousands of people has caused great suffering and created a major humanitarian emergency as well as posing a huge logistical challenge for the Greek authorities in the midst of the COVID pandemic.

My colleague, the Minister for European Affairs, Thomas Byrne, spoke with his Greek counterpart on 9 September immediately after the fire to offer Ireland's full solidarity and support. The Greek authorities have requested assistance from EU Partners in dealing with the immediate humanitarian needs arising. My Department, through our Embassy in Athens, has confirmed Ireland’s readiness to provide assistance from our humanitarian logistics base in Brindisi, Italy. The Greek authorities have thanked us for our offer of assistance and we now stand ready to respond to a request for the deployment of emergency humanitarian supplies.

As Minister for Overseas Development Aid, I have repeatedly urged the need for greater solidarity and burden-sharing among Member States in dealing with the wider issue of migration. I look forward to the Commission's proposed new Migration Pact which is due to be published shortly and which will undoubtedly contribute to the ongoing efforts to arrive at an agreed common approach to this difficult issue.

We in Ireland are endeavouring to do our part, having already received 1022 asylum seekers (including six unaccompanied minors) from Greece under the first phase of the Irish Refugee Protection Programme. We have also committed to accept 36 unaccompanied minors in need of international protection in Greece, and I was pleased that the first group of eight such minors arrived in Ireland last June. In the context of the very difficult situation now arising from the destruction of the Moria refugee camp, the Government has decided to accept another group, of four unaccompanied minors, as part of this overall commitment and is continuing to keep under review what further actions it can take to meet the enormous humanitarian and relocation needs arising from this tragic event.

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