Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 May 2024
117. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice for justice the current Government policy regarding the status of those who have fled war in Ukraine following the lapse of the temporary protection directive in March 2023. [23036/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Temporary Protection Directive , which provides immediate protection in EU countries for people displaced by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, was extended to March 2025 at a meeting of the European Council last September.
Discussions on the arrangements for beneficiaries of temporary protection after March 2025, when the Directive is no longer active, are ongoing, both within the Government and at an EU level, in recognition of the need for certainty for beneficiaries of temporary protection in the EU.
The Deputy will appreciate that I cannot pre-empt future discussions and decisions of either the EU or the Government. I expect, however, that the prevailing conditions in Ukraine will be a significant influence on any decisions taken, and these clearly remain highly uncertain.
The Government supports the strong call from EU Member States for a harmonised approach to Temporary Protection post March 2025, beyond a merely coordinated approach. Such an approach is needed to avoid overburdening national international protection systems, which was a key factor in the decision to activate the Temporary Protection Directive in response to the war in Ukraine.
Finally, I can assure the Deputy that beneficiaries of Temporary Protection continue to avail of the protections that the Directive provides.
