Sir, – The images of migrants being rescued by the LÉ Eithne off the Libyan coast ("Irish naval vessel pulls 201 migrants from sea", May 29th) stand in marked contrast to those of body bags and coffins which dominated the media just a few short weeks ago. The officers and crew of the Eithne have shown that search-and-rescue works and must be continued. Their efforts not only bring pride to the Naval Service 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 that 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 would only see a return to the mass drownings for which the first half of 2015 will always be remembered. – Yours, etc,
BRIAN KILLORAN,
Chief Executive,
Immigrant Council
of Ireland,
Andrew Street,
Dublin 2.