Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The House needs to congratulate the Naval Service not only for the deployment of LE James Joyce but for all the work it has done in the Mediterranean Sea since it was first deployed and for the many lives it has saved. It must be tremendously difficult for many of those on board to see what they see virtually on a daily basis in the Mediterranean Sea. I welcome the news that theLE Samuel Beckettis to replace the LE James Joyceon the humanitarian mission. It is hugely valuable work, the results of which are seen on our television screens.

We also need to consider whether there is an increase in the number of boats trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea given the recent deal between the EU and Turkey. Perhaps the Minister of State could indicate if there has been a noticeable increase in rescues in recent weeks in the Mediterranean Sea.

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