Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2026
341. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Defence her views on the way in which Ireland can combat shadow fleet ships in its Exclusive Economic Zone, considering the significant potential for devastating environmental incidents if these ships sank. [1754/26]
View answerAs Minister for Defence I am acutely aware of the threats the shadow fleet ships can pose. Due to our geographic position, strengthening Ireland's maritime security is a key priority for me and I look forward to publishing our new Maritime Security Strategy in the coming weeks.
Ireland is combatting threats arising from the Shadow Fleet ships through a combination of international legal frameworks, robust EU sanctions, and enhanced domestic surveillance. Ireland welcomed the adoption of the EU's 19th sanctions package in October, which increased the number of vessels subject to port access bans to a total of 557 vessels. It also included the listing of maritime registries that provide false flags, and a ban on providing reinsurance to shadow fleet vessels, all of which serve to severely limit their legal ability to operate. In December, a further 41 vessels and shadow Fleet enablers were listed bringing the EU total to almost 600. Ireland supports further sanctions measures to target the Shadow Fleet and the enablers within the wider eco-system.
The Foreign Affairs Council at its meeting in December 2025 adopted a Declaration of the European Union and its Member States on making full use of the international law of the sea framework relating to threats from the shadow fleet and to the protection of critical undersea infrastructure.
The Naval Service and Air Corps continue to carry out Maritime Defence and Security Operations within Ireland’s territorial sea and the Irish EEZ. Any vessels transiting through these maritime zones must do so in compliance with international law and may be subject to sighting and observation by the Naval Service and Air Corps, without their innocent passage or freedom of navigation being infringed. In addition to at-sea monitoring, the Naval Operations Command Centre in Haulbowline carries out remote monitoring 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
For information for the Deputy, the Minister for Transport, through the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG), serves as the National Competent Authority for marine pollution. The IRCG maintains the National Contingency Plan and is prepared to coordinate a national response to any oil or hazardous substance spill within our EEZ. Under the Sea Pollution Acts, the Minister for Transport has specific powers of intervention to prevent or minimise pollution following a maritime casualty.
