Irish solidarity in the Mediterranean

(B2) Since the first deployment of a ship to the central Mediterranean in May 2015, the Irish Navy has saved 13.443 people at sea (including 4.851 since January 2016). A figure that is not included in the rescue figures for EU operations because Ireland does not participate in the Frontex operation directly (Ireland is not a member of the European organization). " The Irish deployment is carried out as a direct bilateral arrangement with Italy an Irish diplomat told B2. It is the Samuel Becket (P-61) which is in the Mediterranean at the moment. The Irish commitment has been one of the most constant since the beginning of the migration crisis (along with the German, Icelandic and British commitment).