Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 June 2023
56. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence whether the LÉ William Butler Yeats had been issued a general order to assist vessels in peril or anyone in distress at sea during its current UN mission off the coast of Libya; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30130/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing Government and Dáil approval, the L.É. William Butler Yeats will commence operations with the Operation Irini mission in the Mediterranean today (21 June 2023).
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.
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.
However, the House will recall that the motion approved by the Dáil for the participation of the Naval Service in Operation Irini includes an amendment to the effect that the naval vessel participating in the operation will be subject to the obligation under international law to provide assistance to persons in distress at sea.
This reiterates the pre-existing obligation on Ireland under the United Nations Convention on the Law Of the Sea, an obligation to which the Naval Service would have to give effect whether in the context of Operation Irini or otherwise.
Should an occasion arise, therefore, 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.
