Ireland to resettle 300 refugees as part of EU migrant scheme

Ireland is to resettle 300 refugees as part of a European Union resettlement programme announced yesterday but has yet to decide on whether to participate in a flagship relocation scheme for migrants who have already entered the EU.

Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald yesterday confirmed Ireland would resettle 300 refugees from outside Europe, more than a target of 272 allocated under the European Commission proposal.

The resettlement programme proposed yesterday aims to resettle 20,000 refugees, with each country allocated a target number via a quota system based on gross domestic product, population and other criteria.

In addition, the commission announced plans for a more contentious relocation programme for migrants who have already arrived in Europe. Ireland and Britain have opt-outs on most EU justice and home affairs legislation, so Ireland would have to opt in if it wanted to participate in the relocation scheme.

Decision

Britain has said it will not participate in the relocation proposal. Ireland can opt in to the legislative proposal by the end of August, but a decision is likely before then, according to officials.

Yesterday’s announcement represents the most ambitious EU proposal on migration to date. In particular, it is the first time the EU has proposed introducing migrant quotas for member states. The commission is expected to provide more detail on its relocation proposal, including target numbers for member states, in two weeks. It will then go to the European Council for approval through the qualified-majority voting system.

Announcing the EU's "agenda for migration" yesterday in Brussels, European Commission first vice-president Frans Timmermans said it was important the EU helped those countries at the front line of the migrant crisis, adding that it was up to the UK and Ireland to decide whether to participate in the relocation scheme.

Under the commission's resettlement scheme, up to 20,000 asylum seekers residing outside the EU would be resettled in Europe, based on the distribution key. Under the proposal, Germany will take the highest amount (3,086), followed by France (2,375) and Britain (2,309).

Ireland resettled 280 refugees from outside Europe in 2014, according to commission figures, a relatively high figure compared with other countries.

Libya

Separately, EU foreign ministers meeting next Monday will consider a proposal to launch an EU CSDP (common security and defence policy) mission in Libya, which may allow the EU to target boats used to traffic people across the Mediterranean. The EU is seeking a UN Security Council mandate to launch the mission. While Ireland is sending a naval vessel to participate in search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean, legally it is prohibited from participating in nonhumanitarian-related interventions.

Responding to reports the European Commission is considering on-shore operations in Libya, EU high representative Federica Mogherini said the commission is not considering "boots on the ground".

“We are not planning in any way a military intervention in Libya. It’s not in any way an option for us,” she said. “What we are planning is a naval operation . . . to dismantle the business model of the criminal operations which are trafficking and smuggling people.”

Mr Timmermans said an “effective return policy” would also form part of the EU migration strategy. “Countries who should take back people, should. Return is an integral part of our plan.”