Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

If we were to participate in the full mission, a number of caveats would be involved. The naval operation against human smugglers and traffickers in the Mediterranean, Operation Sophia, is one element of the comprehensive EU response to the crisis. The EU operation was launched at the Foreign Affairs Council meeting on 22 June 2015. Its mission is to identify, capture and dispose of vessels and enabling assets used, or suspected of being used, by migrant smugglers are traffickers.

The objectives are not only to obstruct the activities of smugglers and traffickers but to also prevent further loss of life at sea and to reduce the suffering and exploitation of migrants caused by criminal organisations. Ireland is committed to addressing the humanitarian aspect of the crisis arising from the large numbers of migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean. While Ireland is fully supportive of the EU response to the crisis, there are no plans to deploy naval personnel or vessels to the EU mission at this time. In addition-----

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