Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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Question 71: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the intervention of the naval force has been successful in tackling the piracy off the coast of Somali; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41874/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Operation Atalanta is the EU's naval operation acting in support of United Nations Security Council Resolutions relating to piracy off the coast of Somalia. It forms part of efforts by the wider international community to address the piracy problem in the region. Operation Atalanta currently consists of naval units from Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain and Sweden. Ireland fully supports the operation, and one Naval Service officer is currently assigned to the mission's Operational Headquarters in Northwood.

Under its mandate, Operation Atalanta contributes to the protection of vessels of the World Food Programme delivering food aid to displaced persons in Somalia; to the protection of vulnerable vessels cruising off the Somali coast; and to the deterrence, prevention and repression of acts of piracy and armed robbery off the Somali coast. By early October 2009, the mission had successfully escorted vessels transporting approximately 280,000 tonnes of World Food Programme cargo to Somalia as well as protecting other shipping in the area. The mission has also led to the detention and prosecution of 68 suspected pirates in Kenya. The force is successfully performing its mission and makes an effective contribution to improving maritime security off the coast of Somalia.

Notwithstanding the achievements of Operation Atalanta, acts of piracy continue to occur in the region. Further efforts are required by the international community to address this situation, particularly the root cause of Somali piracy.