A Fine Gael MEP Brian Hayes has said the EU needs to do more to deal with the refugee crisis.

New figures show that more than half a million people have made their way to Europe so far this year, double the number for all of 2014.

Mr Hayes said the EU needs to tackle the root causes.

“You know you can have as many fences and walls as you like, people will always go around those fences and walls, they will find a way into the European Union,” Mr Hayes said.

“So our strategy has to be based on helping those countries on the front line, Greece especially, Spain and Italy and Malta. Making sure there is a pathway into Europe. Making sure we have support from the EU budgetary funds and also making sure we constantly keep a review on this issue to make sure we have success.”