Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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387. To ask the Minister for Defence if he raised any opposition to the European Union proposal to commence a military mission to prevent illegal smuggling off the coast of Libya; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23335/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean remains of great concern to Ireland, and to its EU and Southern partners. On 20 April, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Minister for Justice & Equality attended a joint meeting of EU Foreign Affairs and Justice and Home Affairs Councils in Luxembourg. At that meeting, 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.

On 23 April the Taoiseach attended a special meeting of the European Council at which the 10-point action plan was considered. A comprehensive range of commitments were agreed, 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. As part of the Comprehensive plan, the Council invited High Representative Mogherini to begin preparations for a possible CSDP mission.

Subsequently, 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, 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 our focus remains on the humanitarian search and rescue mission to which we have deployed L.É. Eithne, Ireland is fully supportive of the first phase of the CSDP operation which is being carried out in full accordance with international law. 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 Force will not be participating in the mission in the absence of such a resolution. Ireland continues to support 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.