European Commissioner Karmenu Vella was given a tour of Irish naval ship Le Niamh at a naval base in Cork, Ireland before it embarks on a mission where it will be monitoring the Mediterranean Sea and assisting migrants who face difficulties during their crossing.

The ship is berthed at Haulbowline harbour. Migrants assisted by the ship’s crew will be taken to Italy.

Mr Vella was accompanied by Ireland’s Defence Minister.

This is the second Irish naval ship which is to embark on such a mission. Another ship, Le Eithne, just ended a similar mission, saving as many as 3,400 migrants. Le Eithne is on its way back from Malta to Ireland.