Navy’s Med mission to be extended

The Government is expected to extend the Irish Naval Service humanitarian mission in the Mediterranean today as donations flood in for an aid convoy bound for Calais.

Defence Minister Simon Coveney will bring a report to Cabinet this morning on the Navy’s involvement in the mission since May, which has seen the crews of the LÉ Eithne and LÉ Niamh, which is still on deployment in the region, save more than 5,000 refugees.

Mr Coveney declined to be drawn on his recommendations but he said they will not come as a surprise to many.