Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I have more than supplementary questions, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

The Minister of State will be aware that a House of Lords inquiry found that Operation Sophia failed to meet the objective of its mandate to disrupt the business model of people smuggling. Some smugglers were arrested and some boats have been destroyed but the people being caught are well down the food chain. It is like catching those going from door to door with drugs in Dublin, but not catching those who import the drugs and pass them on. The fact is that people are taking even greater risks now in inferior boats. The policy is not helping the matter.

The Minister of State makes the argument about training the Libyan coast guard. He should not forget that the Americans trained soldiers in Iraq who ended up joining jihadist groups. Some even fought against the peoples of the region. It was not a great idea. Getting into bed with the likes of the Libyan coast guard cannot be a good idea; it will only strengthen it. We cannot expect great things from it.

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