The Government has confirmed Ireland is to take in five migrants after reaching a deal with Malta.
It comes after 49 migrants were stranded at sea on-board two charity-operated ships - the Seawatch3 and Albrecht Penck.
They had been rescued in the Mediterranean Sea while attempting to make the perilous journey to Europe in late December.
BBC reports that both Italy and Malta had refused the ships permission to dock.
Malta claimed they were not the responsible authority and were not the nearest safe port of call.
It prompted discussions between the European Commission and Malta in a bid to resolve the situation.
In a statement, Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said Germany, France, Portugal, Ireland, Romania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and Italy have now agreed to accept the 49 stranded people.
'We thank @JunckerEU @Avramopoulos and @MartinSelmayr 🇪🇺 for the important assistance in brokering a solution for #SeaWatch3 and also in relocating migrants rescued by #Malta ' - Prime Minister @JosephMuscat_JM 🇲🇹 pic.twitter.com/ZHOyyVla8o
— Government of Malta 🇲🇹 (@MaltaGov) January 9, 2019
He added that another 131 migrants already in Malta will also be re-located to other EU member states.
The deal means the stranded migrants will now be able to disembark in Malta.
Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan said: "I am pleased to announce that we will offer to welcome five unaccompanied minors to Ireland from Malta.
"These children have been rescued from the Mediterranean Sea in humanitarian search and rescue missions and have been through a terrible ordeal.
"They will be welcomed to Ireland under our Irish Refugee Protection Programme, which has a proven record of helping those who are most vulnerable.
"We will ensure that they are provided with all of the necessary supports".
Mr Muscat had earlier suggested the situation meant his country had been asked to "shoulder responsibilities way beyond its remit".
He argued: "Malta is a very small country. It is in our nature is to assist those in distress. But as Prime Minister, I cannot shirk the responsibility of safeguarding Malta’s national security.
"I reiterate, as I did before, that this case shall not act as a precedent - and I have reassurances that this will not be the case from European institutions."
He welcomed the show of "solidarity and understanding" from other EU member states.
However, Italian minister Matteo Salvini said he remains "totally opposed" to Italy taking in more rescued migrants.
He claimed: "Giving in to the pressures and threats of Europe and NGOs is a sign of weakness that Italians do not deserve."
Additional reporting: Jack Quann
