Pringle calls for more transparency and a rights-based approach to migration and asylum

By Thomas Pringle
Updated: 13th July 2022

Independent TD for Donegal, Thomas Pringle, has called for better transparency and a human rights-based approach in dealing with people seeking asylum.

Addressing the Dáil on Tuesday, Deputy Pringle said: “Although I agree with the principles of the amendment to the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, I am sceptical of the pact on which it is based and concerned that it will only further reinforce European policies focused, as the Irish Refugee Council states, on externalisation, deterrence, containment and return.

“Following the mass influx of displaced persons from Ukraine, I understand the need for increased financial aid and I understand that facilitating access to unspent financial resources under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund is badly needed.

“However, I am also aware that accelerated border procedures, when implemented, often come hand-in-hand with reduced fundamental rights, standards and safeguards,” he said. He was speaking during a debate on an amendment to the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund.

The deputy said that the proposal put forward by the European Commission acknowledges that “increasing migratory pressure” is “already being felt acutely in member states”.

Deputy Pringle said: “I am worried that with the acceleration of border procedures, and with fast-track procedures, the idea of a human being will get lost. We do not want a case of applicants being dehumanised and treated only as a number.”

He cited the behaviour of Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, at the borders, especially around Greece, where people have been pushed back into the sea to prevent their landing.

“That’s not any way I would want any agency to behave in my name, and I would hope that this Government wouldn’t be in favour of that,” he said.

The deputy said: “I would hope you would take that on board because it’s appalling what’s happening there.”

He said there are great groups and projects funded through the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and he hoped their funding would continue.

Deputy Pringle said: “We have the capacity to ensure that asylum seekers and migrants from all countries are being accommodated in a respectful manner that has a regard for their human rights. A human-rights approach should be taken towards all proposals and decisions that affect our European borders.

“The proposal states that it seeks to ‘unblock access to unspent amounts previously earmarked for specific purposes under the AMIF’. However, it does not go on to state exactly what the funds were earmarked for, and I would be interested to hear whether there is an answer to that.

“I believe we are in need of far more transparency, in general, in regard to these European funds. We should be given a list of projects that we are supporting in order to ensure that all asylum seekers and migrants are being treated equally under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and to ensure that money in this fund isn’t being used up by concentration-type camps, migrant camps and security and building companies.”

Deputy Pringle said: “I support this motion in principle. However, I would like to call for better transparency and for a focus on a human rights approach.”