Naval Service Operations

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2015

Tuesday, 14 July 2015

Ceisteanna (426, 427, 428)

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

426. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Defence the total number of migrants the LE Eithne has rescued from the Mediterranean Sea. [28586/15]

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

427. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Defence the countries of origin of the migrants the LE Eithne has rescued from the Mediterranean Sea. [28587/15]

Paul Murphy

Ceist:

428. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Defence if he will report on the medical assistance provided to migrants rescued from the Mediterranean Sea by the LE Eithne; if there were common medical problems faced by the migrants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28588/15]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence

I propose to take Questions Nos. 426 to 428, inclusive, together.

Following Government approval, the LE Eithne arrived in the South Central Mediterranean on 23 May 2015 to assist the Italian authorities in humanitarian search and rescue operations.

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 are being achieved through close co-operation with the relevant Italian authorities.

The LE Eithne, which has completed its deployment, and is en route back to Ireland, was involved in 22 rescue operations resulting in the rescue of 3,377 migrants. Details regarding the countries of origin of the migrants rescued by the LE Eithne are listed in the tabular statement below. These figures have been compiled on the basis of information provided by the rescued persons themselves and have not been corroborated by documentation or any other authority. The LE Niamh has now deployed to the Mediterranean to continue Ireland’s contribution to the humanitarian search and rescue mission. The LE Niamh will be 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. Following their rescue, once on board the Irish naval vessel, migrants are screened by medics. The predominant ailments were those associated with sun burn and dehydration. Other migrants received treatment for fractures and chemical burns. All migrants received food, water, clothes and foil blankets as necessary. The migrants are then either transported to a port in Italy, or transferred to another international naval vessel, as advised by the Italian authorities.

Country of Origin of Migrants rescued by L.É. Eithne	Number
Eritrea	414
Nigeria	397
Sudan	371
Syria	307
Ghana	301
Morocco	279
Somalia	261
Ethiopia	230
Bangladesh	209
Gambia	169
Pakistan	128
Senegal	102
Niger	48
Palestine	40
Libya	29
Mali	22
Costa D’Avorio	18
Guinea	16
Chad	14
Egypt	13
Cameroon	9
TOTAL	3,377