Paul Murphy
Question:403. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on the welfare of migrants who have been rescued from the Mediterranean Sea by the crew of the LE Eithne. [23782/15]
View answerTuesday, 16 June 2015
Questions (403, 404)
Paul Murphy
Question:404. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Defence the countries of origin of migrants who have been rescued from the Mediterranean Sea by the crew of the LE Eithne. [23783/15]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 403 and 404 together.
Following Government approval and agreement with the Italian authorities, 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 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. To date, L.É. Eithne has been involved in a number of rescue operations resulting in the rescue of circa 1,623 migrants.
Following their rescue, once on board the Irish Naval Vessel, migrants are provided with medical assistance, food, water and dry clothes to those in need. The migrants are then either transported to a port in Italy, or transferred to another international naval vessel, as directed by the Italian authorities.
The Department of Defence does not have any information on the countries of origin of these migrants or on their welfare following disembarkation in Italy which is a matter for the Italian authorities.
Our focus will remain on continuing to assist the Italian authorities in the humanitarian search and rescue operation efforts to prevent further tragedy and loss of life at sea.