Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not believe the assertions of Deputy Daly. She is leaving out one point. Deputy Daly is right on some parts, but what about the thousands of people who leave the coast of Libya but do not get far? They are losing their lives on unseaworthy vessels. That is one of the reasons we are training the Libyan coast guard. It is to stop some of these unseaworthy vessels. As part of Operation Sophia we intercept some of these unseaworthy vessels.

I take the views of Deputy Daly fully on board. Having said that, I reiterate that the Taoiseach and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade have raised this specific issue at EU Council level. I have raised the matter at EU Council level. I believe that by training the Libyan coast guard, we are doing the right thing.

See this speech in context