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· Ireland nominates liaison officers to Italy and Greece and expert staff to the European Asylum Support Office in Malta.
· Minister Fitzgerald announces that Ireland is ready to accept the first tranche of migrants before the year-end.
· Department of Foreign Affairs to provide €3m for Emergency Trust Fund for Africa
· Minister Fitzgerald to attend Valletta Summit on Migration on 11-12 November

The Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald TD today attended an extraordinary JHA Council in relation to the Migration Crisis. Commenting on today’s Council Minister Fitzgerald stated, “All Member States recognise the absolute importance of implementing the necessary measures as a matter of urgency. The conclusions adopted today serve to further enhance the EU response to this crisis and I am confident that Member States realise the need to continue to make progress at EU level on delivering on the commitments made.

From Ireland’s perspective we continue to make significant progress in delivering on the Irish Refugee Protection Programme and on our commitments under the EU relocation programme. In the last month alone, I have formally indicated that we are ready to accept the first tranche of migrants on relocation and I am confident that they will arrive in Ireland before the end of the year. Ireland has appointed Liaison Officers to Italy and Greece, nominated two experts in response to the European Asylum Support Office call for experts and the Department of Foreign Affairs has committed €3m to the Emergency Trust Fund for Africa. Real progress is being made and I am determined that this momentum continues.”

Minister Fitzgerald will attend the Valletta Summit on Migration on behalf of An Taoiseach Enda Kenny on Wednesday and Thursday 11-12 November. This Summit will bring together European and African Heads of State and Government in an effort to strengthen cooperation in the area of migration and address the current challenges and opportunities. Minister Fitzgerald said, “This conference will seek to build on existing cooperation with African partners, as countries of origin and transit, to address migration challenges to mutual benefit. It is another very important step towards resolving this crisis and towards addressing long term migration issues.”