Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 April 2023
154. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will clarify the role of the Naval Service in Operation Irini and its planned scope of operations before, during and after the reported seven-week period, from June 2023, when an Irish naval asset is due to join Operation Irini. [18981/23]
View answer155. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the German government’s refusal of participation by its armed forces in the training of the Libyan Coast Guard as part of Operation Irini due to ethical concerns; his plans to refuse Irish Naval Service training of the Libyan Coast Guard at any time in the future as part of Operation Irini; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18982/23]
View answer156. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence his plans to contribute to a State-led search and rescue programme in the central Mediterranean sea; his views on reports that approximately ten people lose their lives or go missing on the sea migration route between Libya and Italy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18983/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 154 to 156, inclusive, together.
The deployment of any naval assets to Operation Irini requires the approval of the Government and Dáil Éireann in accordance with the “Triple Lock” provisions of the Defence Acts.
On 5 April, the Government approved the deployment of a Naval Service Vessel for service as part of Operation Irini for a period of approximately 7 weeks in total, during June/July 2023. The Dáil is scheduled to have an opportunity to debate the proposed deployment and consider its approval on 25 April.
The core task of Operation Irini is to contribute to preventing arms trafficking within its agreed Area of Operation in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution UNSCR 1970 (2011) and subsequent Resolutions on the arms embargo on Libya. By stemming the flow of weapons into Libya, the mission aims to create the conditions for a permanent ceasefire in Libya.
As secondary tasks, the mission also
• contributes to the implementation of UN measures to prevent the illicit export of petroleum from Libya;
• assists in the development of the capacity and training of the Libyan Coast Guard and Navy;
• contributes to the disruption of the business model of human smuggling and trafficking networks, in accordance with applicable international law.
All of the mission tasks are specifically covered by separate UN Security Council Resolutions.
While capacity building and training of the Libyan Coastguard is part of Operation Irini’s mandate, it is not intended that Naval Service personnel will engage in this activity when deployed to Operation Irini.
Operation Irini has no mandate for Safety of life at Sea/Search and Rescue (SOLAS/SAR). The mission operates on the high seas and in areas which does not attract such activity. Strategic reviews of the mission have concluded that Operation Irini is not a pull factor in migration.
Given the area within which it is anticipated the Naval Service ship will be operating, the Defence Forces advise that it is unlikely that it would be involved in SOLAS/SAR events. However, should an occasion arise where any Operation Irini ship is involved in SOLAS/SAR, the mission direction is that the migrants would be disembarked to a European Coastguard ship as soon as possible so that the Operation Irini ship can return to its mandated operations with the minimum of delay.
