Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The EU takes a comprehensive approach. It is involved in capacity building in many countries, including Libya. We should be able to assist in helping the democratic instructions as peacekeepers, and that is what we are doing. Part of our peacekeeping approach is to help democratic institutions to become established. That is the way we are trying to do this. We are helping migrants but also training the Libyan coast guard.

Everyone is losing the point. Thousands of migrants are losing their lives within the territorial waters. They do not get beyond the territorial waters. Do we forget about those people, refrain from training the Libyan coast guard and let those who want to leave lose their lives? That is one of the points we are missing.

I take the word of the Deputies absolutely on the detention centres. The Government has raised this on numerous occasions at EU level through the Taoiseach, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, myself and many others. This is a reality and a concern for the Government.

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