EP committee agrees on changes to Dublin Regulation on immigration

Peter meilaq

Apr 28th 2009, 16:40

@ Damian Galea. Are you serious??? Do you actually follow what goes on in Eu? I doubt it since you clearly stated that 'the PL has 3 members in the European Parliament and we never heard any news of their actions on resolving the problem of immigration !!! '

If you really wish for some facts, Louis Grech was the first person to raise the issues of illegal immigrations in Malta in a plenary session, back in 2005:

http://www.migreurop.org/article886.html
Maybe you should not only look at Simon's website but at all the MEPs to see what they HAVE done!!!

Mark Anthony Sammut

Apr 28th 2009, 10:03

For everyone's information: The Dublin Regulation is the convention which binds the country where the immigrants arrive first to process their asylum application. The change to the Dublin Regulation will mean the illegal immigrants who land in Malta will be shared by EU countries, and their asylum applications will be processed by other countries.

The burden sharing agreement on the other hand aims to share the immigrants who have already been allocated asylum protection or refugee status.

Well done Simon, a great victory in the interest of our country!

mario gellel

Apr 28th 2009, 09:24

For Dudu sake,was not Simon Busutil part of the same goverment that sounded full trumpets when Malta signed the Dublin Regulation on Immigration?
Why is he voting for it to change?
Why not think twice before agreeing on an issue of National importance?
Could this be another Stat of the Art Gimmick for some votes of MEP election?

lgalea

Apr 28th 2009, 09:17

When and if ever it is implemented it will apply to REFUGEES not to all illegal immigrants, so we will still be lumped with the illegal immigrants and with those who are being given humanitarian status left right and centre.

Furthermore, what country would accept to compulsorily take other refugees from another country when they may not have been given refugee status had they applied in that country?

This is simply a vote raiser gimmick for the EP elections, but the people ahve by now become accustomed to such tactics.

Mike Magri

Apr 28th 2009, 09:06

To me, it is VERY CLEAR, that this whole saga is nothing else BUT the result of the huge pressure put on the GonziPN Parlament and ALL, by Dr. Joseph Muscat, Dr. Michael Falzon and the rest of the Labour spokesmen, to not to accept this type of burden sharing on the Farce of a VOLUNTARY bases, but on a more Deservingly, COMPULSORY BASES ONLY....

Remember how many a time we read and loudly heard from all GonziPN Parlamentarians and PN's apologists, that that was THE BEST we could get, and that we should not IRRITATE our member states.....!!!???!!!???

Well... At least this result is the type of a result that the Labour Party ALWAYS INSISTED on,
and a very nicey U-Turn by the GonziPN's Confused, Stunned, Dazzled and Extremely Puzzled 'MINORITY' Government...!!

BUT....Dr. Busuttil and GonziPN.... You might keep on fooling some people some of the time, but you SURELY Cannot fool all of the people, ALL of the time.....!! Right...!!??!!?? We all know a SPIN when we see or hear of a one...!!!!

Thank You Dr. Muscat.. Thank you Dr. Falzon.. Thank YOU PL ...

Muscat.Pat

Apr 28th 2009, 08:44

@M Grech.
Dear M Grech, there were no absent MEP's. Busuttil was the only Maltese member on the commission and ONLY he could VOTE. But the PN could not help spin an other half truth! So David Casa stayed at home and did not vote for Malta's interests? These are parrochial politics Simon, we want European ones!

Muscat.Pat

Apr 28th 2009, 08:37

Early in Autumn, Busuttil opted for VOLUNTARY burden sharing, whilst Joseph Muscat advocated COMPULSORY burden sharing. Indeed, Joseph Muscat was cricised and Dr Gonzi said that the way forward was VOLUNTARY burden sharing.Joseph Muscat also insisted that if the COMPULSORY burden sharing does not come through, then the VETO has to be used to defend Malta's interest. Joseph Muscat was right from the start, one has to mean business to get things done, and Joseph made things happen.

lgalea

Apr 28th 2009, 07:30

Mario Cortis
You and the rest are counting your chickens before they hatch.
First of all this is about those who are given refugee status and not illegal immigrants.
Secondly, do you think that any member country will accept to take such persons from other countries when if they had applied in that country they would not have been given refugee status?
This is simply a vote catcher for the EP elections and nothing else.

Ramon Casha

Apr 28th 2009, 07:10

The other Maltese MEPs COULD NOT vote in this committee because they do not form part of it. When MEPs are elected they are assigned to various committees in the parliament. Simon Busuttil is the only Maltese MEP in this committee. The others have other responsibilities.

List of members:
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/activities/committees/membersCom.do?language=MT&body=LIBE

This proposal will now be presented to the European parliament and it is then that the other MEPs will have the opportunity to vote.

I think The Times should be careful not to word this in such a way that gives the impression that the other MEPs simply ignored this vote.

R. Caruana

Apr 28th 2009, 06:46

Learn a lesson, dear Joseph Muscat:

No stamping of feet, no veto, no hysterics... and yet Simon got there!

Damian Galea

Apr 28th 2009, 01:40

POLITICS APART. Simon Busuttil has been working for all maltese citizens.. and for that I think he deserves our wide backing, even if you choose not to vote PN.

Indeed I checked the EP website and Busuttil is the only maltese member of this Committee.

If it were not for him the plight of Malta would have gone unnoticed in the EP - the PL has 3 members in the European Parliament and we never heard any news of their actions on resolving the problem of immigration !!!

I suppose the moral of the story is to have MEPs that count, that know the game, and that can see beyond party frenzy.

Stephen Borg Cardona

Apr 28th 2009, 00:36

Very good work !

kevin bonici

Apr 27th 2009, 22:39

For those lambasting the four 'absent' MEPs, and without taking away any of the merit deserved by Simon Busuttil, please note that this was not a plenary session but a meeting of the Civil Liberties, Justice & Home Affairs COMMITTEE of which Busuttil is a substitute member. There is no Maltese member of this committee. The other four MEPs are members and substitute members of other committees. Besides, the article does not even say that Simon Busuttil was actually there today, although he may have been. Any other MEP or staff could also have attended.

Stephen Farrugia

Apr 27th 2009, 21:55

This means nothing in reality ! I laugh, at what is being said here,by some people. Sounds like the story of the hunters and after all, the person that will stop immigration, is not allowed to contest, in an legally controversial manner.

Mark Vella

Apr 27th 2009, 21:48

To all

Please be well- informed. This is a commitee meeting and not a plenary. Committees have a number of MEPS who then present reports to all MEPs (in plenary: that big room!!) for a final vote.

It's not that only Simon Busuttil was there. It is that he is incidentally one of the MEPs in this particular LIBE committee (liberties and civil rights). The other 4 MEPS are all in other committees on different subects.

This report has not yet gone to Parliament proper. It is still a preliminary proposal.

please, for your sake, get your facts straight.

Franco Xuereb

Apr 27th 2009, 21:35

Is this another carrot that Dr. Simon is trying to impress the citizens of Malta? I for one will not fall for such a thing thus I'm proud to declare that for the second time will not cast my vote in the EU parliamentary elections.

Amendments intended to establish a legally binding burden-sharing by the end of 2011, why wait so long? Thus I'm convinced that this amendment wont have the approval of both the Commission and the Council, so fellow citizen time will tell as, so please do not count the chickens before they hatch....as you most probable will be disappointed.

Last but not least, why all this fuss to burden sharing? Do you thing that this will solve the problem of all these influx of illegal immigrants? On the contrarily, this will just encourage more Africans to try and cross to Europe and thus a day will come where Europe will be invaded by Africans.

I hope to God that when that day comes which wont be long, I would long be gone, as I don't want to see my beloved country in the hands of illegal immigrants.

Please think about the world REPATRIATION The ONLY SOLUTION

lgalea

Apr 27th 2009, 21:17

Mario Cortis, Margaret Richards
It is about illegal immigrants who have been given refugee status.
So we still have to see what we can do with those who are not given refugee status.
Moreover, let's see whether the member countries approve the agreement because why should a country take illegal immigrants even though they have been given refugee status by another country when they may not have given the same status if they had claimed refugee status in that particular country?
Do you think that they will take illegal immigrants to send them back themselves instead of us? Stop daydreaming Mario.

Andrew Camilleri You are right. They are counting the chickens before they hatch like they did with the voluntary burden sharing agreement. Its approval if at all will be after the June elections so this is just a vote raiser tactic which does not impress at all.

M Grech, Franco Farrugia, John Caruana, Joseph Camilleri, Victor Mamo,
This was a committee not the whole EP.

victor vella

Apr 27th 2009, 21:12

Can the leaders of the political parties tell us where the other four MEP'S were please? Why should we vote labour MEP's wen they had a 100% ansentism. At least one of the PN was there on such an important vote for Malta,

Sandro Pace

Apr 27th 2009, 21:12

Burden sharing was for refugees and those on temporary and subsidiary status.

The Dublin II, though related, is another matter, mechanisms and procedures.
Burden sharing (compulsory or not) does not need the Dublin II adjustments to be implemented.

Mario Cortis

Apr 27th 2009, 20:58

As far as I know the Burden-Sharing at the moment is on both illegal immigrants and immigrants, no matter what the skin colour as well. Once the illegal ones aren't sent back to their native land, they should be distributed as according to the burden-sharing protocols which will hopefully be finalized shortly.

Anthony Magri

Apr 27th 2009, 20:57

Words are nice, let's see them put into effect. Let us not sing victory before we have proof how this resolution is to be implimented. Does it mean that the number of illegal immigrants at present in Malta will be reduced substantially and will not increase in any way. The way Dr.J. Muscat explained in parliament. That will be a true victory. Or shall we now welcome illegal immigrants in any number because Europe has decided that all E.U. countries will take their share and then nothing happens because the resolution is not to be interpreted in that way. That will be a pyrrhic victory. Let's wait and see before singing Alleluia Dr.Simon Busuttil. Enough of misleading please

Alfred Farrugia

Apr 27th 2009, 20:56

I wish to congratulate Dr. Simon Busuttil for his efforts and the results obtained on this important issue. He is the only Maltese “substitute” (?) member on this 114-member Committee according the EP website. http://www.europarl.europa.eu/activities/committees/membersCom.do?language=EN&body=LIBE May I suggest to all our MEPs that before the next vote in the plenary, they agree how to send a copy of the January 2001 UNHCR Geneva opinion concerning the Dublin Convention, and its “wholly inappropriate” application to Malta according to Section 4 (v), to All the members of the European Parliament. “(v) Entry into the territory UNHCR considers it wholly inappropriate to derive any responsibility for considering an asylum application from the fact that the applicant has been merely present in the territory of a Member State. Mere presence in a territory is often the result of fortuitous circumstances, … . In addition, this criterion places at a disadvantage countries bordering areas affected by refugee flows, and thus goes against the principles of responsibility sharing and solidarity which are at the basis of the Union’s endeavours in the field of asylum.” http://www.unhcr.org/protect/PROTECTION/43662b3e2.pdf

Margaret Richards

Apr 27th 2009, 20:54

DR BUSUTTIL - A BIG WELL DONE!!! I'M PROUD TO HAVE YOU REPRESENT US IN THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT. THROUGH DIPLOMACY, CONSISTENCY AND SHEER STRONG WILL YOU OUTDID YOURSELF!!!

Andrew Camilleri

Apr 27th 2009, 20:49

A VERY important thing to note...this is just a proposal by the European Parliament. It has to garner the approval of both the Commission and the Council in order to come into effect. So it seems to me that it is just another publicity stunt by MEP's before next June's election

R Agius

Apr 27th 2009, 20:34

@P Muscat I take it you are talking about the PL and its MEPs...... It is so refreshing to see an MEP of the calibre of Dr Busuttil deliver what we all have been hoping for. Well done Simon! It will be a sad day when this country elects 'popular' MEPs instead of MEPs who can truly represent the national interest. We all know Dr Busuttil deserves the No 1 vote.....

Sandro Pace

Apr 27th 2009, 20:34

This is a step in the right direction, but for those who are asking where are the other MEPs, this is just a committee, and hence not all MEPs are present. I think people must inform themselves more about the workings of the EU. Unless they dont want to be taken for a ride. 5 stars will be given when such amendments pass through all other stages, including the Council of Ministers, where unfortunately they can be vetoed out. On the other hand, failure to pass through will be a great political embarassment to the government and the nationalist party. But such motions are scheduled for after the June elections. And hence they are 'safe'. Chicks will be counted after.

d. borg

Apr 27th 2009, 20:33

Sat-2011 tilhaq tigi l-Afrika kollha! How ridiculous. Where were the other MEPs, fishing for votes in Malta? They should all have voted on such an important national issue. This goes to show that their first priority is their personal interest not Malta's.

Tony Caruana

Apr 27th 2009, 20:32

Mario Cortis Are you sure ? Or just Immigrants that are given refugee status ?

Victor Mamo

Apr 27th 2009, 20:28

This just underlines Simon Busuttil's commitment to stnding up for Malta's cause. While the rest of the MEP's are at home campaigning for their own means, Simon is fighting for us ALL through an effectve, consistent and respectable voice in the EP

Mario Cortis

Apr 27th 2009, 20:23

@Tony Caruana: ITS ALL ABOUT ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS!!!!!

P Muscat

Apr 27th 2009, 20:22

Meetings, talks, discussions, solidarity, EU, solidarity, binding, burden-sharing etc etc is just talk. Lots of talk by all these politicians, but no action at all. Don't blame anyone if we loose hope in the EU and all Politicians??

Joseph Camilleri

Apr 27th 2009, 20:21

@Franco Farrugia: Looks like you're right. It's a shame really but it seems Dr Busuttil is the only one who takes his responsibilities seriously.

Mario Cortis

Apr 27th 2009, 20:15

Another step forward with only few days after Dr. Busuttil's proposal was voted in favor in the European Parliament. I can't believe that there was only one MEP present today from five elected five years ago in representing Malta in this issue which at the moment is at its peak crisis.

M Grech

Apr 27th 2009, 20:03

Dear ABSENT MEPs: What would you answer when asked: Where were you when your country needed you?. I'm sure that you have an Honourable answer. After all, all of you are doing their utmost to be returned to the post. You will all be judged by your deeds not by your words.

Tony Caruana

Apr 27th 2009, 20:03

Does this agreement include ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS ?

D Vella

Apr 27th 2009, 20:01

Voluntary basis Simon?...watch all those Countries come running to our aid.... u hallina.

J. Tonna

Apr 27th 2009, 20:01

So now we know who works for the interest of Malta and the Maltese.

John Caruana

Apr 27th 2009, 19:56

At last some good news on the immigration issue.. However, why were the other four MEPs not present to vote on such an important issue for Malta?

Rita Vella

Apr 27th 2009, 19:52

Prosit Simon! an effective voice in the European Parliament. Seeing the results of all that hard work....

Franco Farrugia

Apr 27th 2009, 19:52

'Dr Busuttil, who was the only Maltese MEP present for the vote, ...'
Does this mean that the other four MEPS are looking after their own, staying in Malta in order not to waste a single day away from partisan and petty local politics?
A very important parliamentary session for Malta, and these MEPs decide to stay in Malta. Oh, well.

T Fenech

Apr 27th 2009, 19:50

THAT is the way to achieve success! Hard work, networking, conviction and determination!! Well done to Dr Busuttil for his relentless pursuit of our national interest. The makku is roaring. Where were all the other MEPs? More concerned with getting re-elected than with doing their job perhaps? I would like to congratulate Dr Busuttil and thank him for this giant step in the correct direction. A vote for out national interest can only result in a vote for Dr Busuttil!