Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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26. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of refugees rescued by Irish Naval Service vessels in the Mediterranean sea; if it will continue with further missions there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16707/16]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Following a Government decision on 12 May 2015, the Irish Naval Vessel LE Eithnewas deployed to the Mediterranean Sea on 16 May 2015 to assist the Italian authorities with the migrant crisis. During 2015 two further vessels were deployed, LE Niamhand LE Samuel Beckett, and the deployment was completed on 29 November 2015, with LE Samuel Beckettarriving back in Ireland on 17 December 2015. During that period, 8,592 people were rescued in the Mediterranean Sea by Irish Naval Service vessels. In addition, the Irish Naval Service provided assistance to 1,144 migrants who were transferred from other vessels onto Irish Naval Service vessels and then transported to safety.

The Government, on 6 April 2016, approved the return of an Irish Naval Service vessel to undertake humanitarian search and rescue tasks in the Mediterranean Sea. This deployment will involve naval vessel rotation. Subject to the operational demands and requirements of the mission, it is intended that there will be two rotations, with each deployment lasting approximately 12 weeks.

LE Róisínwas deployed to the Mediterranean Sea on 1 May 2016 and commenced patrolling in the area of operations on 12 May 2016. To date, LE Róisínhas rescued 893 people, bringing the overall total rescued by the Naval Service during 2015 and 2016 to 9,485 people. In addition to the 893 migrants rescued by LE Róisín, assistance was provided to a further 683 migrants who were taken on board from other vessels.

The role of the Naval Service vessel is to provide a search and rescue capability and to undertake humanitarian search and rescue operations at sea in the Mediterranean. Assistance to persons in distress at sea will be provided in accordance with the applicable provisions of international conventions governing search and rescue situations.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I suggest that it is incumbent upon us all to acknowledge the tremendous work being done by the Defence Forces and by the Naval Service in this situation. I ask the Minister of State if he remains satisfied regarding the equipping and upgrading of Naval Service vessels, telecommunication systems and training, and the degree to which these remains in line with likely requirements in the future.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I can assure the Deputy that the members of the Naval Service who are carrying out the rescue operations were trained to a very high standard. If one looked at the work carried out in 2015 and to date in 2016 it would give an overview of exactly the training they have gone through for such an operation. Those involved must be commended on the work they have carried out to date, because it is very difficult. They came across two female fatalities in recent days, which can be very difficult for members. However, I assure the Deputy that the members of the forces are given every assistance and all training required to carry out their work on the Mediterranean Sea.

I will conclude by saying that the Irish Naval Service is very well served in the equipment it uses and the vessels it operates. Yesterday I signed off on the commission for a fourth vessel. The UK contractors will start building that fourth ship in the next few weeks. The Government's investment in the Irish Naval Service over the last years is very much to the fore.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for his reply. I support the concept in general. Perhaps the Minister of State could reiterate the intention to continue providing humanitarian services which are urgently required in the Mediterranean Sea for as long as is necessary.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will appreciate that the mission will be kept under ongoing review in light of developments in the Mediterranean Sea. There has been a significant decline in the number of migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea in the last week or two. It is unclear whether this is due to the adverse weather conditions or some other factor, but the current plan is to rotate LE Róisínafter three months, which would be until some time around the end of July 2016. Deployment of a second vessel at that stage for a further three months will bring this up to the end of October. In the normal course, with the weather disimproving in the autumn, migrant numbers decline further. I had a briefing yesterday from the Department to the effect that there has been a drop in the number of migrants. However, I understand that on the Mediterranean Sea there is quite bad weather at the moment. That might contribute to the number of migrants rescued over the past while. I assure the Deputy that I, as Minister, very much appreciate the work that has been done, and we will keep the situation under constant review. I believe that all Members of the House, both Opposition and Government, very much appreciate the contribution that members of the Irish Naval Service have made in 2015 and in 2016 to date. They have clearly put the Irish naval service on the map.