Cabinet to decide on sending Navy ships to Mediterranean to combat human trafficking
The Defence Minister Paul Kehoe will this morning seek Cabinet approval to send Irish navy ships back to the Mediterranean.
Mr Kehoe wants to send two naval vessels back to combat human trafficking.
Irish naval vessels played a significant role in rescuing migrants in the Mediterranean over the last two years.
Now the Minister of State for Defence wants to send vessels back.
While they will still be tasked with rescuing migrants, this trip would have an increased focus on tackling smugglers.
Under the plans two vessels would be deployed on individual tours of a maximum of 16 weeks running from mid-April until the end of November.
Minister Kehoe will argue the deployment will greatly enhance Operation Sophia, which has a shortfall of naval assets.
The Cabinet will also be updated on the sale of mortgages by Permanent TSB and Ulster Bank this morning.
Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe will address his colleagues on whether or not they will oppose Fianna Fáil's bill to regulate vulture funds.
That bill is due to be debated in the Dáil this week.
