We must keep rescue ships like the LE Eithne on our seas

The images of migrants being rescued by the LE Eithne off the Libyan coast (‘Irish navy ship rescues 201 migrants in Med’, Irish Examiner. May 29) stand in marked contrast to those of body bags and coffins which dominated the international media just a few short weeks ago.

The crew of the LE Eithne have shown that search and rescue gets results and must be continued. Their efforts not only bring pride to the Irish Navy but to all of Ireland.

The rescue of such a large number of people in one operation shows that, despite warnings not to make the crossing, people remain in a desperate situation and will risk everything to reach safety.

At both a European level and in our own national policies, the Government must continue to keep this crisis under review to ensure rescue ships will remain on the seas as long as they are needed and that people are offered legal channels to Europe.

While we should acknowledge that some progress has been made in achieving those goals — it would be wrong to believe that this crisis is over, to do so will only see a return to the mass drownings for which the first half of 2015 will always be remembered.

Brian Killoran

Chief Executive

Immigrant Council of Ireland

Andrew St

Dublin 2