Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

From an operational and logistical perspective the timing of the transfer of Naval Service operations in the Mediterranean to Operation Sophia, the Government has directed that this will take place at an appropriate juncture, which I will decide, based on advice from the Department and the Defence Forces. I believe that Ireland joining with the 25 other member states already contributing to Operation Sophia is a positive gesture and one which I wholeheartedly support. A redeployment of a Naval Service vessel to support EU efforts to disrupt the practices of those illegal and criminal elements engaged in people trafficking and exploitation of vulnerable populations would contribute to countering the risk to life posed to migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean in unsafe and unseaworthy vessels. In essence, if the international community can disrupt the actions of criminal networks engaged in the exploitation of migrants, then the migrants will not be put at risk of putting to sea in unseaworthy vessels in dangerous conditions. I commend this motion to the House.

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