Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Socialist Party)
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221. To ask the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 122 of 30 April 2015, if there are Common Security and Defence Policy measures in North Africa he is opposed to if proposed by High Representative Mogherini; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19218/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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At a joint meeting of Foreign and Interior Ministers, held in Luxembourg on the 20th April, the Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Commissioner presented a 10 point plan of immediate action to be taken in response to the crisis situation in the Mediterranean. The key focus of the plan is on preventing loss of life. The 10-point action plan was considered by the Heads of States and Government at a Special European Council meeting on 23rd April. At the meeting of the Council, the Heads of State and Government committed to a comprehensive range of commitments, including at least tripling financial resources for Operations Triton and Poseidon, thereby enabling an increase in the search and rescue possibilities within the mandate of FRONTEX. EU leaders also committed to actions to prevent illegal migration flows, to reinforce internal EU solidarity and responsibility in relation to the processing of asylum applications and relocation of migrants, and to combat traffickers in accordance with international law. In addition, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy was invited to start preparations for a possible CSDP operation.

Following the announcement made by An Taoiseach at the meeting on the 23rd April, and Government approval and agreement with the Italian authorities last week, the L.E. EITHNE, with a crew of sixty-eight (68) personnel of the Permanent Defence Forces, departed the Naval Base in Haulbowline on Saturday, 16th May 2015, to assist the Italian authorities in humanitarian search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean. The despatch of an Irish naval vessel represents a tangible and valuable Irish national contribution to assisting the Italian authorities in the humanitarian search and rescue operation and highlights our commitment to assist with efforts to prevent further tragedy and loss of life at sea.

At the formal Meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council with Ministers of Defence in Brussels on 18th May, a Council Decision to establish a European Union military operation, EUNAVFOR Med, in the South Central Mediterranean was adopted. The Mission’s mandate will be implemented in sequential phases. The first phase of the operation will support the detection and monitoring of migration networks through information gathering and patrolling in accordance with international law. A second phase, involving the targeting, seizure and possible destruction of the vessels and assets of human traffickers will only begin once appropriate UN Security Council authorisation is in place. The third phase is an operational/disruption phase, and the fourth and final phase is a mission withdrawal and completion phase.

While we are focused on the search and rescue mission, on the basis that the first phase of the CSDP operation will be carried out in full accordance with international law, Ireland has supported this aspect of the operation. In relation to further phases of the CSDP operation, we believe that many elements of the proposed action will require a UN Security Council Resolution. The Permanent Defence Forces will not be participating in the mission in the absence of such a resolution.

Ireland supports the actions of the Union to address the major challenge of migration in the Mediterranean. We cannot allow criminal gangs and smugglers to continue to exploit people at risk.