Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 November 2016
413. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the details of the discussions he has had with other EU leaders on the refugee crisis in the Mediterranean, the war in Syria and the deployment of Irish Naval Service vessels to the Mediterranean Sea. [32798/16]
View answerThe migration crisis remains a key priority for the European Union and it has been discussed many times in various Council formations. Last month, migration was discussed at the European Council, the Foreign Affairs Council (which I attended) and the Justice and Home Affairs Council. Migration is again on the agenda of the December European Council. I have also discussed the crisis in bilateral meetings with a range of Foreign Minister colleagues.
As regards the situation in Syria, I discussed the conflict with my EU colleagues at the Foreign Affairs Council on Monday 17 October. We were joined by UN Special Envoy Steffan de Mistura. The Council adopted conclusions condemning atrocities in Syria, and in Aleppo in particular; called for an immediate end to the bombardment of Aleppo and the protection of civilian populations across Syria; ending restrictions on the provision of humanitarian assistance and the lifting of all sieges; reaffirmed the EU’s support for a political resolution to the conflict in Syria; condemned the illegal use of chemical weapons by the regime and Daesh and called for accountability through referral of the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court; and condemned the actions of Daesh.
The men and women of our naval service have played an outstanding role in humanitarian operations in the Mediterranean. Working in close cooperation with their Italian colleagues they have rescued over 14,700 people. Following a Government Decision in May 2015, the L.É. Eithne, was deployed to the Mediterranean on 16 May, 2015, to assist the Italian Authorities with the migrant crisis. Two further vessels were deployed during 2015. This year, there have been three naval vessels deployed to the Mediterranean.
I have discussed our naval operations in the Mediterranean with my Italian opposite number, including during his visit to Dublin in July.
