Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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121. To ask the Minister for Defence the role of the LE Eithne in the European Union response to the migrant crisis in the Mediterranean; if he will guarantee that it, or any other Irish vessel, will not become involved in any European Union military operations in the Mediterranean, regardless of whether a United Nations Security Council mandate is secured in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21376/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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L.É. Eithne arrived in the South Central Mediterranean on 23 May 2015, to assist the Italian authorities in humanitarian search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean.

The role of the Irish Naval vessel is to provide a search and rescue capability and to undertake humanitarian rescue operations at sea in the Mediterranean. Assistance to persons in distress at sea is being provided in accordance with the applicable provisions of international conventions governing search and rescue situations. Co-ordination of search and rescue efforts and the provision of humanitarian assistance is being achieved by close co-operation with the Italian Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre and other relevant Italian authorities.

L.É. Eithne is deployed on the high seas in international waters between Sicily and Libya, which is where most migrant activity and search and rescue incidents have occurred. The Irish naval vessel is working in co-ordination with European navies, including British, Italian and German naval forces. To date, L.É. Eithne has been involved in a number of rescue operations resulting in the rescue of approximately 1160 migrants.

The despatch of an Irish naval vessel to assist the Italian authorities in the humanitarian search and rescue operation highlights the Government's commitment to assist with efforts to prevent further tragedy and loss of life at sea.

Regarding EU military operations in the Mediterranean, a t 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, EU NAVFOR M ED, was adopted as part of a comprehensive approach to addressing the migration crisis in the South Central Mediterranean.  Operational planning for this naval operation is currently underway and it is anticipated that the launch of the operation may be on the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Council later this month.

Consideration of participation by the Irish Defence Forces in EU NAVFOR M ED will only occur if there is a UN Security Council Resolution and the applicable National statutory requirements are met. I understand that discussions on a draft Security Council Resolution are ongoing. The Deputy will appreciate that any further comment would be premature at this point, pending the outcome of th is process.

In the meantime Ireland, through its deployment of the LÉ EITHNE, will continue to assist the Italian authorities in the humanitarian search and rescue operation efforts, to prevent further tragedy and loss of life at sea.