First Irish National Maritime Security Strategy launched

Minister for Defence Helen McEntee has launched Ireland's first ever National Maritime Security Strategy, aimed at safeguarding Irish sovereignty and to deepen naval co-operation with France and the UK.

The new plan comes amid increasing international pressure over the country's capabilities in defence and security.

The five-year strategy also comes at a crucial time with Ireland hosting the European Union presidency for six months from 1 July.

Aboard the naval vessel LÉ Samuel Beckett at Sir John Rogerson's Quay in Dublin this morning, Ms McEntee said there was a huge need to increase focus on security and defence, given rising geopolitical tensions as well as the swathes vitally important undersea cables in Ireland's waters.

She said: "There is a backdrop of an ever-changing political and I think we all know that.

"We are for the first time, and for the past four years, witnessing a war taking place on the continent of Europe.

"We are seeing emerging and changing threats in terms of hybrid threats, hybrid warfare and shadow fleets. We're seeing an increasing volume of cyber attacks and security concerns.

"So the need to increase our focus on our security and defence is absolutely essential.

"This is not just a priority for Ireland. This is a priority for every European member state and for every country to increase and to highlight and to enhance our work when it comes to our security and defence."

A significant element of the new plan is the strengthening of regional partnerships, particularly with our nearest neighbours, the UK and France.

British and French vessels may patrol Irish-controlled waters

Ms McEntee also did not rule out allowing British and French vessels to patrol Irish-controlled waters and offer security during the six-month EU presidency.

Under the strategy, Ireland will also pursue an opportunity to establish links with the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF). This is a UK-led alliance which also consists of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Netherlands and Sweden - all members of NATO.

Ireland would not join the group but would examine participating in a wider group known as JEF-Plus.

The new plan also includes the roll out of military radar and sonobuoy programmes.

It's also understood that legislation to broaden the Naval Services powers to allow them to board and inspect so-called Russian shadow vessels in Irish waters could be enacted by the Dáil's summer recess, and ahead of the Ireland's EU presidency commencing.

The bill would specifically empower the service to safeguard and protect Ireland's sovereignty rights in Irish territorial waters and the 420,000sq/km Exclusive Economic Zone that stretches far out into the Atlantic.

The document has six strategic objectives:

1. Defend the State's maritime domain

2. Protect Ireland's critical maritime infrastructure, including undersea cables

3. Enhance Ireland's maritime domain awareness

4. Strengthen regional partnerships and international cooperation

5. Ensure legal order in Ireland's maritime domain and support international law

6. Educate, train, research and innovate to support increased maritime security

Opposition TDs have welcomed the plan, but now want to see it implemented in full, while guaranteeing Ireland's long-standing policy of neutrality.