Michael D Higgins calls for support of ‘climate refugees’

President Michael D Higgins feels so strongly about the European migrant crisis he brings the topic up with every foreign leader he meets, including the French President Francois Hollande on Monday night.

The issue of “climate refugees” who are forced to flee because global warming renders their regions uninhabitable, was evoked repeatedly during the “Summit of Consciences for the Climate” which Mr Higgins attended on Tuesday in Paris.

Asked whether Europe and Ireland are doing enough to help migrants, Mr Higgins said it is "a good thing" that the government has agreed to take an additional 600 Syrian refugees for resettlement this year.

He also expressed consternation about the reluctance of other EU states to accept refugees for settlement.

"No one could seriously but be appalled at the statements that are made that 60,000 people for resettlement is a challenge that the European Union is not able to come to a decision to handle as a collective responsibility," the President said. "Those pouring in over the borders of the EU are pouring in from some of the poorest countries with the least capacity to help them."

On June 26, the EU agreed to relocate 60,000 refugees, 40,000 of whom are in Italy and Greece, and 20,000 of whom are in third countries. The Union established a voluntary system because member states rejected mandatory quotas.

“We must get past this moment of unacceptable failure in relation to the 60,000,” Mr Higgins said, adding that he was “very, very pleased that so many people fleeing from difficult circumstances have been picked up by the Irish naval service, who’ve done wonderful work.”

Responding to momentary crises “doesn’t relieve you from the long term responsibility to look at the sources of all these migrants,” Mr Higgins said. “And that brings us right back again to the idea of having development policies that enable people to see lives of dignity and sufficiency in their own societies.”

Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald said on Tuesday that Ireland’s agreement to accept 600 refugees, mainly from Syria and Eritrea, over the next two years, was “tiny” compared to the challenges facing Italy and Greece.

“The expectation would be that a very high proportion would get refugee status and would get it very quickly,” she said.

Ms Fitzgerald said the preferred destination of the refugees was taken into account. Some might have family here already she added.

Ms Fitzgerald said Ireland’s direct provision system was facing a doubling of applicants this year, although it was coming from a low base.

The system had its weaknesses, she said “but we are working towards improving the accommodation”.