merrion street

The Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality Frances Fitzgerald
TD, today concluded meetings with her EU colleagues where they
discussed the migration crisis. The Tánaiste also had a brief
introductory meeting with new UK Home Secretary Amber Rudd. They
agreed to meet again in early November for discussions on bilateral
issues.

The Tánaiste said: “The EU has faced very difficult challenges but we
are resolved to deal with problems together. Ireland is playing its
part in sharing the heavy humanitarian burden of the migration
crisis. Ireland’s resettlement of refugees from outside the EU is
ahead of target and Ireland’s humanitarian relocations of people from
within the EU are gathering pace. Our naval service has rescued
13,400 people from the Mediterranean since May last year. Our service
remains extremely active at sea."

Ministers also discussed a new proposal for a Resettlement Framework
for the EU as part of a sustainable response to the migration crisis.
Commenting on this the Tánaiste said:

“Resettlement is an invaluable means of bringing persons in need of
protection directly into the EU. It also stops these vulnerable
people from falling prey to unscrupulous smugglers who routinely, and
deliberately, risk the lives of their victims. We welcome measures
that undermine the criminal operations and business models of these
smugglers."

“The Government is determined to press ahead with delivering on
Ireland’s commitments. The resettlement of refugees from Lebanon will
be delivered ahead of target by Ireland. Ireland has made a further
commitment to resettle 260 refugees from Lebanon in 2017. I am
actively considering further pledges."

The further development of country-specific partnership agreements
with non-EU countries was also discussed at the meeting. These
agreements aim to help stem the flow of migrants by dealing with
development needs in areas such as education, infrastructure and
employment. They establish both a fair and efficient returns policy,
and a robust mechanism to ensure ongoing cooperation in the interest
of both the EU and the respective third country. “I will be working
with Minister Flanagan to outline the role Ireland can play with
countries with which we already engage."