Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Earlier this year, following discussions with the Defence Forces general staff, I asked the Deputy Chief of Staff and the Naval Service Flag Officer to visit the headquarters for Operation Sophia to meet the commanding officer and report back to me. The subsequent advice and recommendation received from the Defence Forces general staff was that we should participate in Operation Sophia, the UN-mandated EU naval operation in the southern central Mediterranean. Yesterday, this recommendation was approved by the Government and today I am asking Dáil Éireann to complete the triple lock and approve participation in this UN-mandated mission.

In commending the motion to the Dáil I will first provide Members with some general information on the EU naval operation against human smugglers and traffickers in the Mediterranean, called Operation Sophia. I will also provide the House with some further information on our current bilateral humanitarian mission in the Mediterranean, Operation Pontus, and then briefly outline why we propose that Ireland join the Operation Sophia mission at this time.

The EU Common Security and Defence Policy naval operation, Operation Sophia, was launched at the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting on 22 June 2015. Operation Sophia's mission is to identify, capture and dispose of vessels and enabling assets used or suspected of being used by migrant smugglers or traffickers. The objectives of the operation are not only to disrupt the activities of smugglers and traffickers, but also to prevent further loss of life at sea and reduce the suffering and exploitation of migrants by countering and challenging the criminal organisations engaged in such activities.

The migration crisis in the southern central Mediterranean continues to be critical and is expected to deteriorate further during the summer months. The UN Migration Agency has reported that 95,768 migrants and refugees entered Europe by sea in the first six months of 2017, with almost 85% of them arriving in Italy.

There have been 2,169 deaths recorded in this period. Libya is the main country of departure for more than 90% of migrants. Operation Sophia is one element of a comprehensive approach to addressing the crisis. The mission is also providing capacity building and training to the Libyan coastguard and navy and contributing to the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution No. 2292. That imposes an arms embargo on Libya in an effort to prevent the flow of illicit arms and related materiel into that country.

With regard to disrupting the people smuggling and trafficking operations in the Mediterranean, Operation Sophia is being implemented in a number of phases. The first phase, to support the detection and monitoring of migration networks through information gathering and patrolling in accordance with international law, is complete. The mission is currently at phase 2, part (i) and involves the targeting, seizure and diversion of the vessels of human smugglers and traffickers on the high seas. There are no proposals currently to move to the next phase - phase 2, part (ii). Moving to this phase, which relates to operating within Libyan territorial waters, requires a further UN Security Council resolution and-or the consent of the coastal state. Similarly, there are no proposals to move to the third phase which would involve taking all necessary measures against vessels including disposal or rendering them inoperable.

Ireland will only participate in those aspects of Operation Sophia which are authorised in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions, and in this regard, Ireland will declare caveats to that effect should the Dáil approve this motion. I understand that some have concerns about participating in this mission but I reassure the House that this is part of a comprehensive EU response that is addressing the causes and not just the symptoms of the crisis. Irish troops are contributing to the EU's efforts as part of EUTM in Mali. The EU also has a training mission in Somalia and EUFOR in Chad, where we led and had troops previously. All of those are Common Security and Defence Policy, CSDP, missions with a UN mandate.

The EU's recent strategic review confirms that Operation Sophia has played a critically important role in collecting and analysing relevant data, and helped the EU better understand how trafficking networks operate. It recommends that Operation Sophia continues to enhance its focus on maritime security operations, including information sharing, training Libyan authorities and supporting the establishment of a monitoring network.

I wish to restate that Ireland is fully supportive of the comprehensive EU approach to the migration crisis including the current deployment and Operation Sophia. Ireland contributes to its costs through the financing structures of the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy. In April 2017, the Government, for the third year, approved the return of a Naval Service vessel to the Mediterranean to undertake humanitarian search and rescue tasks as part of a bilateral arrangement with the Italian authorities. Overall, more than 16,800 migrants have been rescued since Irish Naval Service vessels deployed in the Mediterranean; demonstrating clearly the value of Ireland's response to the migration crisis. The Government is very proud of the Naval Service and all of the crews who have participated in the mission. On behalf of the Government, I am now seeking Dáil approval to arrange for the transfer of the existing Naval Service deployment in the Mediterranean to the EU Common Security and Defence Policy mission, EUNAVFOR MED Operation Sophia. Transferring to Operation Sophia would result in the redeployment of Irish Naval Service vessels from primarily humanitarian search and rescue operations, to primarily security and interception operations. The Naval Service vessel would, however, continue to be available to respond to requests from the Italian Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre or other relevant authority, in terms of any vessels at risk in its area of operation. While the focus of Operation Sophia is primarily on security and interception operations, more than 36,600 persons have been rescued by vessels operating under this mission since October 2015.

I also wish to highlight that it is the duty of all maritime ships, including Naval Service vessels, to render assistance to other vessels in distress in accordance with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Operation Sophia was launched in June 2015 as part of the EU's broader action to provide a comprehensive response to the global migration and refugee crisis and to encourage a democratic, stable and prosperous Libya. It specifically seeks to counter human trafficking and smuggling in the southern central Mediterranean by taking action against the criminal networks and disrupting the smugglers' business model. It has so far contributed to the apprehension of 109 suspected smugglers and traffickers and removed approximately 440 boats from criminal organisations' availability.

Additionally, since October 2016 Operation Sophia has been mandated to participate in the training of the Libyan navy and Libyan coastguard and to the implementation of the United Nations arms embargo off the coast of Libya. The processing of migrants in accordance with international law and respect for human rights is a fundamental aspect of Operation Sophia. Accordingly, very close working arrangements with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Organization for Migration have been put in place both in planning, training and conduct of the operation.

There are specific benefits for Ireland in joining Operation Sophia. Having a single ship on its own in the Mediterranean gives rise to certain risks which would not be there if we were part of a broader multilateral operation. Under Operation Sophia, we will be contributing to a mission in which 25 other member states are participating, and the Naval Service will have access to air support and intelligence reports which will enhance the security of deployed personnel and assets. In addition to our contribution to the humanitarian effort in the Mediterranean to date, Ireland will now be making a contribution to addressing some of the root causes of migration and human trafficking. There will be a more proactive role for the Naval Service, in that it will be authorised to seize the boats of smugglers on the high seas and destroy them so they cannot be used again in such a way. The sharing of intelligence with other EU naval forces will also be an important aspect of the mission and will assist with addressing the complex issue of illegal migration.

Participation in Operation Sophia will help to build Naval Service professional capacity across a range of skills and enhance capability in relation to interoperability with other international naval forces.

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