Fitzgerald rejects Merkel's criticism of Ireland's refugee policy
Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald has strongly rejected criticisms by German Chancellor on Ireland's stance on EU refugee policy.
During the week Angela Merkel said: "Some countries are not taking part in the common European asylum policy, like the UK, Ireland, and Denmark."
Responding to the comments, the Department of Justice told the Irish Independent that Ireland had agreed to resettle 520 refugees between 2015 and 2016, almost double the share proposed for us by the EU Commission.
Meanwhile, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has issued a warning over Europe's escalating refugee crisis.
Yesterday, the United Nations refugee agency said up to 200 people were missing and feared dead, after the Libyan coastguard carried out rescue operations for two boats carrying an estimated 500 migrants.
He said he was "horrified and heartbroken" by the latest loss of life and said he wanted a collective political response to the situation.
