Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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459. To ask the Minister for Defence the mission of the LÉ Eithne which has been sent to serve in the Mediterranean; if it will take part in the EUNAVFOR Mediterranean military mission; if members of the Irish Defence Forces will be involved in any aspect of the EUNAVFOR Mediterranean mission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20327/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Following the announcement made by An Taoiseach at the meeting on 23 April, and Government approval and agreement with the Italian authorities, L.É. EITHNE, with a crew of sixty-eight (68) personnel of the Permanent Defence Force, departed the Naval Base in Haulbowline on Saturday, 16 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 18 May, a Council Decision to establish a European Union military operation, EUNAVFOR Med, was adopted as part of a comprehensive approach to addressing the migrations crisis in the South Central Mediterranean.  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, which involves the targeting, seizure and possible destruction of the vessels and assets of human traffickers, and the third phase, which is an operational/disruption phase, shall commence in accordance with any applicable UN Security Council Resolution or the consent of the coastal State concerned.

Consideration of participation by the Irish Defence Forces will only occur if there is a UN Security Council Resolution and the applicable National statutory requirements are met.