Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Naval Service Vessels

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 November 2015

Tuesday, 24 November 2015

Ceisteanna (93)

Seán Crowe

Ceist:

93. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Defence for an update on the work of the LÉ Samuel Beckett in the Mediterranean, and on his recent meeting with the ship’s captain and members of the crew. [41164/15]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

L.É. Samuel Beckett is the third Irish Naval vessel deployed to the Mediterranean to assist the Italian Authorities with the migrant crisis, in line with the Government Decision on 12 May 2015. L.É. Samuel Beckett is continuing the excellent work undertaken by L.É. Eithne and L.É. Niamh 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 through close co-operation with the relevant Italian authorities.

During her deployment in the Mediterranean, L.É. Eithne rescued a total of 3,377 migrants. She was replaced in the mission on 18 July by L.É. Niamh who rescued a total of 4,127 migrants during her deployment. Tragically, 39 bodies were also recovered by L.É. Niamh.

L.É. Samuel Beckett, commenced patrolling duties on the waters between Libya and Sicily on 01 October 2015. To date L.É. Samuel Beckett has rescued 1,088 migrants.

The success of the operations carried out to date by L.É. Eithne, L.É. Niamh and L.É. Samuel Beckett involving the rescue of 8,592 migrants demonstrates clearly the value of Ireland’s participation in this important humanitarian response.

During my recent visit to L.É. Samuel Beckett on 08 November, I met with Lieutenant Commander Geraghty and his crew and commended them on providing an invaluable service in assisting with the crisis in this region. I thanked them on behalf of the Government for the outstanding role they have played, in what can be very difficult circumstances, in saving the lives of men, women and children, some of whom are fleeing desperate circumstances.

L.É. Samuel Beckett is scheduled to complete its deployment in early December 2015 subject to ongoing assessment of the crisis and the operational need to continue to provide such assistance.

The question of a further deployment to the operation in the Mediterranean next year will be evaluated over the coming months and will be considered in the context of the ongoing situation in the Mediterranean and the overall EU response thereto, the demands on the Defence Forces, our overseas commitments and available resources.

Barr
Roinn