Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In practical terms, participation in larger integrated search missions rather than on isolated efforts would allow refuelling and resupply at sea, as well as integration with air support such as medevac. The Naval Service’s Operation Pontus is operating solely as a bilateral humanitarian mission and is isolated from associated EU operations such as the Frontex mission, the EU Common Security and Defence Policy, CSDP, mission, Operation Sophia. Does this not reduce the operational effectiveness of the Irish mission and eliminate any training added value of a multilateral engagement? Does it not also mean we do not know with the return of the LE Samuel Beckettthis week whether Ireland will continue to engage due to the size of overheads and questions over the sustainability of the operation? I appreciate there may be a triple lock issue. Has the Department any view as to how we can accommodate both our triple lock traditions with our humanitarian approach? Again, I compliment the Naval Service on its work and hope it continues.

See this speech in context