EU ministers are expected to back moves for a new naval force to intercept people smugglers before their boats reach European waters.
They will discuss the plans at a summit in Brussels aimed at tacking the migrant crisis in the Mediterranean.
The meeting follows the deployment of the LE Eithne to take part in search and rescue operations this weekend.
Almost 70 Irish sailors and two army medics are joining the efforts to prevent more deaths as thousands continue to flee war torn countries through Africa in the hopes of getting to Europe.
