Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 February 2017
70. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason the hugely successful Naval Service rescue mission in the Mediterranean was scaled back over the most dangerous winter months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7338/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing Government Decisions on 12 May 2015 and 6 April 2016, Irish Naval Vessels were deployed to the Mediterranean from May to November 2015 and from May to December 2016 to assist the Italian Authorities with the migrant crisis.
The number of migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea in both 2015 and 2016 was higher during these months when weather conditions were more favourable to make the journey. Irish participation in the humanitarian mission in 2015 and 2016 resulted in the rescue of over 15,600 migrants. The deployment of Irish Naval vessels during these months, when the number of migrants crossing the Mediterranean was at its highest, was the most effective use of limited resources.
Decisions in relation to the deployment of Defence Forces contingents overseas are considered on the basis of capacity to achieve the mission mandate, resource availability and sustainability. The Naval Service operation in the Mediterranean is considered in the context of existing demands on the Naval Service having regard to their domestic role in fishery protection and as the principle seagoing agency of the State. As the Deputy will appreciate, within a defined resource envelope, an appropriate balance must be struck between the domestic operational demands on the Naval Service and potential overseas deployments. On the basis of such considerations, in 2016, it was decided to deploy three vessels to the Mediterranean for tours of approximately 12 weeks each, similar to that which was deployed in 2015.
The question of deployment to the operation in the Mediterranean in 2017 is currently being 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.
