04/09/2015

Call For Taoiseach To Take 'Urgent Action' Over Refugee Crisis

The Taoiseach is being called to take "urgent action" to accommodate more refugees in Ireland.

Fianna Fáil Leader Micheál Martin said Irish people are willing to accommodate more families who have fled war torn countries.

He said: "I welcome the fact that the Taoiseach has at last confirmed that Ireland will accommodate more than 600 refugees. He has said that Ireland will take up to 1,800 people. But I believe that Ireland can and should do more than that.

"This is 0.2225% of the number Germany has accepted. Germany has lead by example over the summer months and has taken 800,000 refugees. They did not lag behind, waiting for a pan European response. They have taken 40% more than they are 'obliged to'.

"The EU will be allocating funding to the countries that will accommodate refugees and the Taoiseach needs to outline what this will mean for Ireland. There is no doubt that the Irish people want more to be done to help the families who are running in desperation from their war torn countries. We do not need more people to die while they try to escape from Syria and other failed states.

"Europe has responded too slowly and Ireland must lead the way by playing its part. The failure to deal with this refugee crisis has dramatically increased the costs of this humanitarian disaster. Thousands of people have died already. This is the worst humanitarian crisis since World War Two."

(CD/JP)

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