Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald is attending a meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council today, to discuss the European Union response to the global refugee crisis.

It comes as Germany last night re-introduced border controls with Austria, as it struggles to cope with the influx of people from Syria, Afghanistan and other countries.

Controls have been brought in on road crossings and Germany has stopped train traffic from Austria in an attempt to slow the influx, which saw 13,000 people arrive in the country on Saturday, followed by another 3,000 on Sunday morning.

Meanwhile Germany is expecting one million migrants and refugees this year - 200,000 more than previously estimated, Angela Merkel's deputy Sigmar Gabriel has said.

As the debate in Europe as to how to handle the numbers of migrants making the journey to the continent continues, at least 34 people died in the Aegean Sea when their boat capsized off the island of Farmakonisi.

It is thought to be the greatest loss of life in that part of the Mediterranean this summer.

Amnesty International Ireland wants the EU to reform its asylum system.

While the Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin is standing over the plan that will see refugees taken in by Ireland fast tracked through the system.

The European Commission will formally outline its plans to distribute 120,000 refugees across 22 EU member states over the next two years - a policy several countries are opposed to.

But speaking on her arrival at the talks in Brussels, Ms Fitzgerald said all countries need to show solidarity.

"Well 'mandatory' isn't on the table today...as far as Ireland is concerned it's an opt in" she said.

"If we can get the political agreement, lets get the political agreement today in relation to the numbers that are on the table - that would be an important step forward and I'd be disappointed if we didn't arrive at that point".

"But there are difficulties, there are tensions" she added.

And she said Europe needs to take action - not just talk.