Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Following a Government decision on 12 May 2015, three Naval Service vessels,LE Eithne, LE Niamhand LE Samuel Beckett, were deployed to the Mediterranean between May and November 2015 to assist the Italian authorities with the migrant crisis. During that period, 8,592 people were rescued in the Mediterranean by Irish Naval Service vessels.

On 6 April 2016, the Government approved the return of a Naval Service vessel to undertake humanitarian search and rescue tasks in the Mediterranean. From May to December 2016, three Naval Service vessels, LE Róisín, LE James Joyceand LE Samuel Beckett, were deployed to the Mediterranean. LE Samuel Becketthas recently completed her mission in the Mediterranean and is scheduled to return to the Naval Service base soon. A total of 7,029 people were rescued by Irish Naval Service vessels in 2016.

To date, Irish participation in the humanitarian mission has resulted in the rescue of over 15,600 migrants, which clearly demonstrates the value of Ireland’s involvement in this important humanitarian response. Tragically, a total of 74 bodies were also recovered by the Naval Service during search and rescue operations.

The despatch of Irish vessels was subject to a bilateral arrangement with the Italian Government on the deployment and operation of the Irish vessels and on the disembarkation and reception of any persons rescued or vessels in distress, in accordance with the applicable international conventions on the rescue of persons in distress at sea. The question of further deployment to the Mediterranean in 2017 is currently under consideration.

EUNAVFOR MED Operation Sophia is another element of the comprehensive approach being pursued by the EU to address the migration crisis. The primary role of Operation Sophia is targeted at security and countering people trafficking, and ultimately, preventing the loss of life at sea. Ireland has not, to date, participated in this mission. While Ireland remains fully supportive of the EU approach to this crisis, there are currently no plans to deploy Naval Service personnel or vessels to Operation Sophia at this time.

See this speech in context