Evaluation of the Dublin system

17.7.2015

Question for written answer E-011503-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Martina Anderson (GUE/NGL)

EU leaders have recently agreed to relocate 40 000 people in dire need of international protection who have arrived in Greece and Italy to other Member States over the next two years, and to resettle 20 000 refugees.

On the specific proposal for EU-wide resettlement of 20 000 refugees, it is essential that Member States, including Ireland the UK, should make concrete commitments towards this goal, going beyond existing resettlement quotas.

This can be achieved if Member States are called on to offer other legal avenues for people in need of international protection — including a more effective, timely and consistent application of family reunification procedures.

However, in order for progress to be made, any such initiative would need to be accompanied by a better functioning of the Dublin system.

Although the recent legal improvements date only from 2014, the Dublin system is not working as it should. In 2014, five Member States dealt with 72% of all asylum applications EU-wide.

In this regard and knowing that the Commission will undertake its evaluation of the Dublin system in 2016, can the Commission advise as to when this evaluation will take place in 2016, and provide an approximate date of publication?