Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I strongly agree with the points made by Deputy Micheál Martin and there is an allegation that the European People's Party is giving legitimacy to views being expressed by members which would not be countenanced even a few years ago. I will focus on one question. In response to the migration crisis, Irish naval vessels have been deployed in the Mediterranean, originally simply on search and rescue missions. Later they have become part of Operation Sophia. The Taoiseach is aware there has been very serious and significant criticism of Operation Sophia by Médecins sans Frontières, which has indicated that migrants are being returned to Libya, where in almost every case they are being tortured, raped and abused. The Irish Naval Service has indicated that in every case it has landed people in Italy. Has the Taoiseach had discussions with the Italian authorities and is it his understanding that they will continue to allow persons rescued by the Irish Naval Service to be landed on Italian soil?

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