Simon Coveney seeks Cabinet approval for resumption of Mediterranean rescue missions

Acting Minister for Defence Simon Coveney is to seek Cabinet approval today to resume the Naval Service’s humanitarian mission in the Mediterranean Sea and says he hopes to increase its strength to a nine-ship fleet in the next three to four years.

Mr Coveney said he will bring a paper on the mission to the Cabinet today and expects swift approval as acting Taoiseach Enda Kenny has already signalled his willingness to send ships back to help the Italians to rescue migrants.

Mr Coveney said there were approximately 800,000 refugees in camps close to the Libyan coast. Their numbers could be swelled following an EU-brokered agreement between Greece and Turkey, which is likely to close off migrant crossings of the Aegean Sea.