Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

52. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the status of Ireland’s participation in Operation IRINI. [36626/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

EUNAVFOR MED Operation IRINI, the UN mandated EU Naval mission in the eastern Mediterranean, was launched on the 31st of March 2020 with an initial mandate running until the 31st of March 2021.

The Operation's core task is the implementation of the UN arms embargo through the use of aerial, satellite and maritime assets in accordance with UNSCR 1970 (2011) and subsequent Resolutions on the arms embargo on Libya.

As secondary tasks the operation will contribute to the implementation of UN measures to prevent the illicit export of petroleum from Libya in accordance with UNSCR 2146 (2014) and subsequent Resolutions, assist in the development of the capacities and in the training of the Libyan Coast Guard and Navy in law enforcement tasks at sea and contribute to the disruption of the business model of human smuggling and trafficking networks, in accordance with applicable international law.

In parallel with the launch of Operation IRINI, the previous EUNAVFOR MED operation in the Mediterranean, SOPHIA, permanently ceased its activities.

As of 4 November 2020, Ireland has three members of the Defence Forces deployed to Operation IRINI. These personnel are deployed to the Operational Headquarters (OHQ) in Rome in staff officer posts.