Séamus McGrath
Ceist:227. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Defence the threat level to our maritime security; and the plans in place to defend against this threat. [12371/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 17 February 2026
Ceisteanna (227)
Freagraí scríofa
I would like to thank the Deputy for raising the important matter of Ireland's maritime security. Following the 2024 Defence Policy Review, maritime security was correctly identified as a key priority for Ireland. This was driven by the assessed threat level, our geographic position, and our responsibility and commitment to support the security and defence of Europe.
In addition, the 2024 Overview of Strategic Risks, the 2023 National Risk Assessment and the 2022 and 2025 National Cyber Risk Assessments, identified key risks in the maritime domain including damage to undersea infrastructure; disruption to oil supply; disruption to electricity or gas supply, malicious cyber activity on critical infrastructure; and a maritime incident involving mass casualties.
Many major undersea cables land on our shores or transit through our EEZ carrying significant amounts of global internet traffic and financial data. In addition, our energy sector is supported by subsea gas pipelines and electricity interconnectors and there are plans advancing to develop significant offshore renewable facilities in our waters. We recognise the potential vulnerability of this infrastructure given the increasingly volatile geopolitical situation, illustrated by incidents occurring in the Baltic Sea, and the threats posed by the Shadow Fleet.
I will shortly publish the new National Maritime Security Strategy which will aim to address these risks and threats. My vision for this strategy is that it will support the protection of a secure and sovereign Ireland, where our people and interests are protected, and where our European and international partners can rely on us to uphold the rule of law in the maritime domain. This first strategy will focus on risks and threats to Ireland’s national security and defence, including the protection of subsea infrastructure.
My officials have undertaken an extensive consultation process to develop this strategy as well as considerable outreach to identify and explore opportunities to cooperate with our neighbouring countries and with international institutions. This significant international engagement has allowed us to access examples of best practice and to learn from the extensive experience in monitoring and protecting critical maritime infrastructure that many of our neighbours have developed. I look forward to updating the House on this Strategy in the coming months.
In addition, the €1.7 billion Defence Sectoral National Development Plan 2026–2030 includes major capability upgrades in the maritime domain. This includes the procurement of towed sonar capability, which will be used for underwater monitoring and surveillance, contributing to the protection of critical undersea infrastructure.
In the meantime, the Naval Service continues to conduct maritime surveillance and fisheries patrols in the seas around us. In addition, the Defence Forces routinely monitor foreign vessels in our Exclusive Economic Zone with both Naval Service assets and Air Corps maritime patrol aircraft, as well as remote monitoring on a 24/7 basis from the Naval Operations Command Centre in Haulbowline.