An Irish navy commander says the baby born on board one of their vessels in the Mediterranean last night are both in good health.

The baby, named Destiny, and her mother Grace - who is originally from Nigeria - have since been brought ashore in Sicily to be treated by medical staff.

The LE Niamh is helping to rescue migrants from unseaworthy vessels after taking over from the LE Eithne.

The baby was delivered while the ship was transporting 370 migrants to Palermo last night at 5:46pm.

256 of them were rescued by the Niamh during an operation on Monday, while another 114 were from a Médecins Sans Frontiéres vessel deployed in the area.

Commander Ken Minihan is a senior naval officer on board the LE Niamh.

He told Newstalk Breakfast the birth went smoothly.