Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yes, I recognise the work of the Irish Naval Service and that is why it was awarded the European of the Year award. It was the first time the award was ever given to an organisation. As Deputy Seán Barrett knows, we have only one Óglaigh na hÉireann, and it has been outstanding in its professionalism, sensitivity and the way it went about its business. The award was presented by the European Movement Ireland. I have often made the point that this is in the Irish because of the thousands of people we lost to the Atlantic in coffin ships off Grosse Île and Ellis Island. It is a remarkable feature of our nation that in 2016 our three vessels, on a rota basis, have saved 15,600 men, women and children from the waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

I agree with the point on Setanta Insurance. I did not discuss Setanta with Prime Minister Muscat. He came here on a very short visit specifically in preparation for his country's Presidency. Malta is a small country and will take a small agenda to, hopefully, move through. I will take the point the Deputies raised in a different forum.

Deputy Brendan Howlin raised the question of sub-Saharan Africa. Prime Minister Muscat is very well acquainted with it and is grateful for the vessel we sent to assist them in the work they are doing. People from Egypt are beginning to cross the Mediterranean, which is also a source of serious concern in addition to the people coming from Mali, the Horn of Africa and Libya.Europe is working with five African countries on compacts. The aim is to work with them to give people an opportunity to have a life, a career and economic opportunities. If the population of Africa doubles over the next 25 years, the explosion in migration could be very serious. Europe, working with countries in their home place, may have a better impact than having to deal with serious numbers of migrants later.

I hope the explanation I gave to Prime Minister Muscat and others results in their being fully au faitwith the circumstances that apply in Ireland regarding the Border, the peace process, which everyone supports, and what we need for it in the future. I am not sure whether the interview was before or after that. I have spoken to him on a number of occasions about our particular circumstances. As everybody will understand, if people explain to us the situation in Slovenia, Slovakia, the Czech Republic or Estonia, it is difficult to understand all the details unless one sees the graphics and understands the geography and particular situation that applies. He understands Ireland and will be a supporter of us in the time ahead.

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