Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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40. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the extent to which the Naval Service has to date been instrumental in rescuing refugees in the Mediterranean; the total number rescued to date; if it is expected to expand or extend such missions; if he has satisfied himself that the processing of such refugees after rescue has been as efficient as it could or should be; if any changes might be contemplated in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33781/16]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Following a Government Decision on 12 May 2015, the Irish Naval Vessel, L.É. Eithne, was deployed to the Mediterranean on 16 May, 2015, to assist the Italian Authorities with the migrant crisis. During 2015 two further vessels were deployed, L.É. Niamh and L.É. Samuel Beckett, and the deployment was completed on 29 November 2015. During that period 8,592 people were rescued in the Mediterranean by Irish Naval Vessels.

The Government, on 6 April 2016, approved the return of an Irish Naval vessel to undertake humanitarian search and rescue tasks in the Mediterranean. During 2016 there have been three Naval vessels deployed to the Mediterranean. The L.É. Róisín was deployed from 1 May to 15 July and L.É. James Joyce from 8 July to 30 September. L.É. Samuel Beckett was deployed on 23 September and will remain in the area of operations until the end of November. To date in 2016 6,162 people have been rescued by Irish Naval Vessels. In total, Irish participation in the humanitarian mission has resulted in the recovery of over 14,700 migrants, to date, which clearly demonstrates the value of Ireland’s involvement in this important humanitarian response.

Once the rescued migrants have been brought to the disembarkation points at the designated locations in Italy, the Italian authorities are responsible for the registration and identification of the migrants and for the processing of any applications made for asylum. The European Asylum Support Office is assisting the Italian authorities in this regard.

The question of further deployment to the operation in the Mediterranean in 2017 will be considered in the context of the ongoing situation in the Mediterranean and the overall EU response thereto, the demands on the Defence Forces, our overseas commitments and available resources.