Ireland is to extend its presence in the Mediterranean, assisting Italian authorities in humanitarian search and rescue operations.

The Government says this will run from the end of September until November 30th this year.

The LE Samuel Beckett will replace the LE Niamh at the end of this month, and will deploy until the end of November - dependent on operational demands.

The Defence Minister Simon Coveney said: "The success of the operations carried out to date by LE Eithne and LE Niamh involving recovering over 6,000 migrants demonstrates clearly the value of Ireland's participation in this important humanitarian response".

"I believe that we should continue to support Italy in a practical manner as far as possible and the Italian authorities have indicated that ongoing support is welcome".

This is the third Irish vessel to partake in operations in the Mediterranean, with the LE Eithne having been initially involved back in June.

It comes as the United Nations Special Representative for International Migration, Peter Sutherland, has said Ireland needs to take more refugees.