Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Last night, the Taoiseach, who is also the Minister for Defence, accepted the European Movement Ireland European of the year award on behalf of the Defence Forces. It was a special tribute which endorsed the efforts and sacrifices made by our Defence Forces personnel in the Mediterranean. The Taoiseach said last night that part of our commitment to Europe means working together with our partners to respond to the many challenges we face. The work of our Defence Forces is the clearest practical fulfilment of that commitment. He also said:

The current humanitarian mission in the Mediterranean is a particularly vivid example of the professionalism of the Naval Service, and indeed of Ireland’s solidarity with Europe. In response to the needs of people on the frontier of Europe, the six vessels which have patrolled the sea over two years have saved a total of 15,600 lives. While it is a tragedy that so many people attempt these dangerous crossings - and we are working to address that - the achievements of our Naval Service are indeed remarkable.

I agree wholeheartedly with him. We all agree that the Taoiseach is correct that this is a meaningful and important contribution to European solidarity. However, it is not the case that it is part of an integrated European approach. Instead, it is an isolated bilateral contribution. While in no way minimising the significance of what the Naval Service is doing in humanitarian terms in Europe, is it possible that the effect of this is to minimise the potential greater effectiveness of the Irish contribution? Does the Minister of State feel that if it was part of an integrated mission, the Irish contribution could be even more effective?

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