We helped cause the migrant crisis and so must be part of a solution

Instead of building wire barricades and sending boats back to Northern Africa, Europe urgently needs to put mechanisms in place to ensure routes to safety for people fleeing for survival.

Every country in Europe, including Ireland, must increase the number of refugees it takes in, with immediate effect. It must also put in place the supports required to enable people traumatised by war, hunger, displacement, the death of loved ones and exploitation by traffickers to live in environments where their dignity and well-being are respected.

There is something else that Ireland can do to address what has become known as the refugee crisis.