Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said he expects "a much more focused response" to the Mediterranean migrant crisis arising from the emergency meeting of EU leaders on the issue in Brussels on Thursday.

He told the Dáil there was a need for greater surveillance, humanitarian relief and search-and-rescue operations for innocent people.

"From a political point of view, the challenge as to the causes of the desperation of so many people to leave for Europe has to be dealt with in the bigger political field," he added.

This was “an enormous challenge indeed”, he said.

The Taoiseach was replying to Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams, who said the people involved were being persecuted and fleeing for a better life. "They are trying to get a better place to live," he added.