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

EU Foreign Ministers meeting in Luxembourg on Monday officially launched EUNAVFOR Med. The language the EU is now using is about ship "disposal" rather than "destroying" ships. However EUNAVFOR Med is still without UN or Libyan approval. Many believe that when it comes to destroying smugglers' boats the smugglers will simply put migrants on them, even when they are at anchor, to act as human shields. Even the UN-recognised authorities based in the eastern part of the country, do not have control of coastal areas where most migrant embarkations take place. This mission is extremely dangerous and could result in the deaths of hundreds or even thousands of innocent civilians. The record of EU and NATO countries in Libya already speaks for itself. They successfully removed Gadaffi but left behind a country bitterly divided and in ruins, a living hell for the average Libyan.

We need to examine other options of assistance and increase the number of refugees Ireland is accepting. It was World Refugee Day on Saturday, and while it is welcome that the LE Eithneis saving lives, we cannot expect Italy and Greece to take care of all the migrants. This is a European issue and it needs a European-wide response. There needs to be an EU focus on increasing our collective support and help to southern European countries who are on the front line. One of these initiatives must be to increase our refugee quota.

Ireland can play its part on the front line but we also need to do more at home. Plans to disperse refugees landing in Greece and Italy around the EU look like they will be delayed for months and no decision will be made until September according to reports. Is this true? Ireland should not wait for a binding EU package. I understand that Ireland has offered to resettle up to 300 refugees this year. Considering the work of the LE Eithnewill the Taoiseach discuss with the Minister, Deputy Fitzgerald, the possibility of Ireland taking more refugees? In my opinion 300 is far too small in the face of a massive refugee crisis.

With regard to the remarks made by an Teachta Micheál Martin and the mandate Sinn Féin has in the Six Counties, when it comes to the North unfortunately Fianna Fáil is happy to comment but not stand for election. Like the eternal hurler on the ditch, it is full of analysis and empty on action.

See this speech in context