Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Following a Government decision on 12 May 2015, the Irish Naval Vessel LE Eithnewas deployed to the Mediterranean Sea on 16 May 2015 to assist the Italian authorities with the migrant crisis. During 2015 two further vessels were deployed, LE Niamhand LE Samuel Beckett, and the deployment was completed on 29 November 2015, with LE Samuel Beckettarriving back in Ireland on 17 December 2015. During that period, 8,592 people were rescued in the Mediterranean Sea by Irish Naval Service vessels. In addition, the Irish Naval Service provided assistance to 1,144 migrants who were transferred from other vessels onto Irish Naval Service vessels and then transported to safety.

The Government, on 6 April 2016, approved the return of an Irish Naval Service vessel to undertake humanitarian search and rescue tasks in the Mediterranean Sea. This deployment will involve naval vessel rotation. Subject to the operational demands and requirements of the mission, it is intended that there will be two rotations, with each deployment lasting approximately 12 weeks.

LE Róisínwas deployed to the Mediterranean Sea on 1 May 2016 and commenced patrolling in the area of operations on 12 May 2016. To date, LE Róisínhas rescued 893 people, bringing the overall total rescued by the Naval Service during 2015 and 2016 to 9,485 people. In addition to the 893 migrants rescued by LE Róisín, assistance was provided to a further 683 migrants who were taken on board from other vessels.

The role of the Naval Service vessel is to provide a search and rescue capability and to undertake humanitarian search and rescue operations at sea in the Mediterranean. Assistance to persons in distress at sea will be provided in accordance with the applicable provisions of international conventions governing search and rescue situations.

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