Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 October 2018
108. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is satisfied that the humanitarian needs of refugees in the Mediterranean will be met in view of the loss of a ship (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40149/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of irregular arrivals to the European Union have fallen by over 90% this year since their peak in 2015. But, while the overall number of deaths at sea in the Mediterranean has dropped significantly, any death at sea is tragic. Ireland supports efforts made by the European Union and its Member States to put a stop to the unnecessary deaths in the Mediterranean.
Ireland has been active in Search and Rescue missions in the Mediterranean since 2015, first through Operation Pontus, a bilateral agreement between Ireland and Italy running in parallel to Operation Sophia. Ireland has been a full member of Operation Sophia since 2017. Since 2015, Irish naval vessels have rescued thousands of migrants in the Mediterranean.
In addition, Ireland has provided humanitarian assistance in solidarity with other Member States on three separate occasions over the summer by making pledges to take migrants who were rescued in the Mediterranean Sea (including migrants from the vessel in question) and to process their applications for international protection.
Ireland also supports measures to address the root causes of irregular migration, through humanitarian and developmental programmes in developing countries. Indeed, Ireland’s pledge of €15 million for the EU’s Trust Fund for Africa is the third highest per capita contribution by an EU Member State.
