Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Aontaím le tuairimí agus le ráiteas mo chomhghleacaí, an Teachta Adams. Impím ar an Rialtas seasamh le muintir na Gréige agus iad sa ghéarchéim ina bhfuil siad. Tá muintir na hÉireann ag féachaint ar an Rialtas seo agus ag féachaint ar Syriza agus éad uafásach orthu faoin obair iontach atá á dhéanamh ag Rialtas na Gréige i gcomparáid leis an easpa oibre atá á dhéanamh ag an Rialtas seo ó thaobh fiacha sna tíortha de.

Migrants fleeing war, hunger, poverty and oppression continue to attempt the dangerous crossing of the Mediterranean in unsafe boats. Sinn Féin welcomes that the Government has sent the LE Eithneto be part of search and rescue missions in the Mediterranean. Just yesterday the LE Eithnesuccessfully located and rescued a total of 519 migrants off three separate vessels 50 nautical miles north-west of Tripoli. Since the LE Eithneset sail from Ireland on 16 May, it has rescued more than 2,000 migrants who have been in trouble in the Mediterranean. Gabhann Sinn Féin míle buíochas le criú na loinge sin - na fir agus na mná atá ag obair sa tSeirbhís Chabhlaigh. Is creidiúint don tír iad na hoibrithe sin. This also puts into perspective the huge need for continued search and rescue missions in the Mediterranean.

According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, approximately 90,000 migrants have crossed the Mediterranean this year and almost 2,000 have drowned or been lost at sea. Approximately 200,000 migrants are expected to make the crossing this summer during calm seas. Ireland must be central to the lifesaving actions to ensure no mass drownings occur again. This should be focused on saving migrants' lives and not military offensive strikes.

I have huge concerns about the EUNAVFOR mission and fear it will only make the situation more dangerous and volatile for people fleeing war, poverty, hunger and oppression. The Irish Government should not play any part in militarily forcing vulnerable people and refugees back to Libya and other areas of conflict. Will the Taoiseach confirm that the Government will ensure that the LE Eithne'smission will remain one of search and rescue, and that Ireland will take no part in any offensive action as part of the recently agreed EUNAVFOR mission?

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