Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Trade Darragh O’Brien TD has condemned the attack at Istanbul’s main international airport which has left more than 36 people dead.

Commenting on the attack Deputy O’Brien said: “This is an appalling attack that has left 36 people dead and scores of others injured. This is the latest in a series of attacks in Turkey, and another attack on an airport, following on from the Brussels airport attack in March, and underscores that we now appear to be constantly living under the shadow of terrorism and extremism.

“While those who have committed this terrible atrocity have yet to claim responsibility, it is clear that more needs to be done to address the reasons why people are willingly to commit such horrendous acts of violence.

“Ireland is an Island nation with a love of travel. This latest attack on an international airport highlights that it is in our interests to play whatever role we can in trying to stamp out the scourge of terrorism and extremism in whatever form in takes>

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Fianna Fáil TD, Darragh O’Brien has welcomed the announcement that eight residents from HSE services in Daughters of Charity, St Rosalie’s, Portmarnock have been given the opportunity to move in to community living.

Earlier this week, €20million was released to enable people with a disability, currently living in institutions, to move to more appropriate accommodation in the community.

Commenting on the announcement, Deputy O’Brien said, “While it is just a start, I am relieved that the government has finally placed some much needed investment to support people with a disability to move to homes in the community. I would like to thank Deputy Finian McGrath for his support in working to secure this capital.

“Fianna Fáil is committed to ensuring real reforms in the health service that put patients at the heart of the system. My party and I have previously put forward a comprehensive set of proposals to facilitate disability inclusion, and I am glad that this government have duly taken note.

“This funding will allow people to live and flourish as a part of the community. My colleagues and I believe that independence is a vital component of every citizen’s life. Citizens living with disabilities must be given every opportunity to live an ordinary life in suitable, community based accommodation.

“Dignity and compassion must remain at the heart of reforming our health services. This government must continue to prioritise further capital funding to move more residents to community living and provide citizens living with disability, with the choice that they deserve,” concluded O’Brien.

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Trade, Darragh O’Brien said that today, World Refugee Day, reminds us of the stark challenges before us and the need to find fair and sustainable solutions to the ongoing refugee crisis.

Commenting on the issue Deputy O’Brien said: “Today marks World Refugee Day and it serves as a reminder that there are millions of people throughout the world who have been forced to flee their homes because of war, persecution and natural disasters.

“The conflict in Syria and the multiple other ongoing conflicts around the globe has resulted in hundreds of thousands of people seeking a safe haven in Europe.

“Unfortunately, the European response to this crisis has fallen short and the decision by Médecins San Frontier to no longer accept funds from the EU due to its opposition to the EU-Turkey migration deal underscores, as I said last week, the need to re-evaluate our approach to dealing with this crisis.

“The European Union was founded on the values of respect for human dignity, liberty, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to minorities. We must not turn our back on these principles and we must rise to the challenge before us.

“The Report published last week by the United Nations labelling the action of ISIS against the Yazidi people as genocide emphasises the reality that many people seeking refuge in Europe have been or are at risk of being subjected to the most horrendous atrocities. These include slavery, rape and torture, and we must do all that we can to respond in a way that upholds our European principles and ideals. Failure to do so fails the EU as a whole, but more importantly it fails refugees, the people most in need of protection.”
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Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Trade, Darragh O’Brien TD has said that there is a critical need to re-evaluate the EU’s approach to the refugee crisis.

Deputy O'Brien's comments come amid reports that Médicins San Frontiérs (MSF) are no longer accepting funds from the EU due to a stand against 'damaging deterrence policies.'

Commenting on the issue Deputy O’Brien said: “When the EU-Turkey migration deal was announced in March, Fianna Fáil expressed reservations about this deal. At that time we stressed the need for the deal to uphold European principles and ideals to ensure that those seeking asylum receive appropriate treatment.

“Many NGOs have been critical of this deal from the outset, arguing that it was not devised in the best interest of asylum seekers and refugees. Representatives of MSF have said that this deal has set a dangerous precedent for other countries hosting refugees and has placed the very concept of ‘refugee’ and the protection that it affords, in danger. The concerns shared by MSF underscores the need to re-evaluate the EU’s approach to the refugee crisis.

"We therefore cannot ignore the views of NGOs and other organisations that have criticised this deal. Many of these organisations are working on the ground and witness the reality and impact of EU policies on those fleeing war and persecution. Europe must not turn a blind eye to these concerns and must re-evaluate its approach to the refugee crisis.

“In the interest of refugees and for the good of the EU as a whole we must return to placing European values and ideals at the heart of what we do.”
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Chairman of Fianna Fáil’s Coiste 1916 Éamon Ó Cuív and Deputy Darragh O'Brien have welcomed the decision by Minister Heather Humphreys to establish a new consultative group on Moore Street to consider the best way forward for rejuvenating the area. Deputy Ó Cuív says Minister Humphreys must ensure the forum is commenced without delay.

“I along with my colleague Darragh O’Brien have been calling on the Government to establish a specific forum to examine the future of Moore Street for some time now. It’s positive to see that Minister Humphreys is taking on board our suggestion. The focus must now be on ensuring this new forum gets up and running without delay,” said Deputy Ó Cuív.

Deputy O’Brien commented, “This new forum should consist of a cross party group of Oireachtas Members, representatives of the families that fought on Moore Street during the Easter Rising, departmental officials and elected members and officials of Dublin City Council. We need a consensual approach to determining the future development of Moore Street and we need to ensure the preservation and restoration of this "battlefield site" for future generations."
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