The Government has announced that it will be prepared to take in refugees from the Kosovo crisis if it is required. In a statement, the Minister for Justice, John O'Donoghue, said that an emergency European Union meeting will decide on what action can be taken by member states about the Kosovar refugee crisis. The German EU Presidency announced the emergency meeting of European Union Justice and Home Affairs ministers will be held next Tuesday.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, David Andrews, said that contingency planning is underway with departments and agencies for reception into Ireland of refugees should that become necessary. Earlier, the Department of Foreign Affairs said that it would immediately give two million pounds to Irish aid agencies working in the region. Mr. Andrews is due to meet Irish aid agencies to discuss how best to dispurse the money.
