Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

While I am proud of the Naval Service and its role in rescuing tens of thousands of people, it is also helping to train the Libyan coast guard, which picks up migrants and returns them to Libya. Does the Minister of State understand my point? I am not arguing that the Naval Service hands over migrants directly to the Libyan authorities but that we are providing training and facilitating the return of migrants to one of the most brutal regimes in modern times. While it is welcome that the Taoiseach has raised this issue, in addition to giving out about it, we must ask why we are funding and participating in these types of operations.

To cite an EU publication, the ultimate role of the Libyan coast guard will be to co-ordinate all maritime search and rescue missions in the Mediterranean. Italy, Ireland and all other countries involved in training the Libyan navy and coast guard are moving towards a position where the Libyan coast guard is given full responsibility for all migrants found in the Mediterranean. Libyan border guards will then be provided with the information from all European border states around the Mediterranean in real time to prevent refugees from crossing into Italy and Malta. We will do anything but treat human beings with dignity. This reminds me of the contempt the Minister for Justice and Equality showed last night when he outlined the type of regime he wants to introduce to allow migrants to avail of their right to work. He showed utter contempt for these human beings.

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