LÉ Samuel Beckett, with a crew of 59, has left Haulbowline in Cork en route to the Mediterranean as part of Ireland's ongoing humanitarian commitment to the region.

This is the third deployment of an Irish naval vessel to the Mediterranean since May. It will replace LÉ Niamh, which has been there for the past ten weeks.

So far, the Irish Naval Service has rescued over 7,000 people from the waters between Libya and Sicily.

Minister for Defence Simon Coveney said the deployment of LÉ Samuel Beckett will complete the naval service's current mission to the Mediterranean.

Factors, such as other overseas commitments and available resources, will be taken into account when considering any further future deployment, he added.

Mr Coveney said the success of the operations carried out so far by LÉ Eithne and LÉ Niamh demonstrates clearly the value of Ireland taking part in this humanitarian response.