‘No undue pressure’ on Eithne crew after saving 3,000 lives

Defence Minister Simon Coveney has said he believes the crew of the LÉ Eithne are not under “any undue pressure” despite rescuing almost 3,000 people from rafts in the Mediterranean in recent weeks.

“They are dealing with more people than any of us expected, to be honest,” Mr Coveney said. “But I think they are doing a very professional job and my understanding is that they are not under any undue pressure.”

Mr Coveney made his comments yesterday as he confirmed plans to travel to Malta on Monday with Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald and Development Minister Seán Sherlock for meetings with their European counterparts on the Mediterranean refugee crisis.

They will also be briefed by the captain and crew of the LÉ Eithne when the vessel docks in Valletta on Tuesday.

The crew, which deployed from Haulbowline on May 16, has rescued almost 3,000 people from rafts — 2,120 men, 438 women and 171 children — since search and rescue operations began on May 28.

“We are going to meet our counterparts in Malta to discuss everything from refugees to humanitarian supports, to search and rescue, to the pressures they are facing as a very small island very close to the north African shore,” Mr Coveney said.

“The following morning the LÉ Eithne is coming into Malta. We are going to meet the ship and the crew to get an off-the-record assessment of the work they have been doing and the pressures they are under.”

The LÉ Eithne will end her 10-week mission at the end of this month, before she is replaced, most likely with the LÉ Niamh, until the end of September.

Meanwhile, Mr Coveney said he expects to take delivery of the Irish Naval Service’s new €70m vessel, the LÉ James Joyce, in about two weeks.

Despite delays caused by mechanical issues, Mr Coveney said he expects the vessel will be fully operational immediately.

“We had a number of issues — we wanted to get the ship absolutely perfect before it gets delivered and it is the usual snag list,” he said.