Michael Collins
Ceist:201. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Taoiseach when the Government will publish Ireland’s first National Security Strategy (details supplied). [14986/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 24 February 2026
Ceisteanna (201, 208)
Barry Heneghan
Ceist:208. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Taoiseach when Ireland’s National Security Strategy will be published (details supplied). [14979/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 201 and 208 together.
The Programme for Government 2025 – Securing Ireland’s Future sets out a number of national security commitments, acknowledging that this is a time of geopolitical upheaval, with threats and challenges arising from a rapidly changing global geopolitical landscape. Ireland’ s EU Presidency in the second half of 2026 will take place in this challenging context.
The Government is committed to the delivery of a National Security Strategy and work is ongoing in finalising drafting the strategy, co-ordinated by the National Security Secretariat in my Department and integrating inputs from a range of relevant stakeholders, including the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Defence; Justice, Home Affairs and Migration; An Garda Síochána; the Defence Forces and National Cyber Security Centre.
The preparation of a draft strategy covers a broad range of national security issues.
It will include the implications of recent security, defence and international developments and their related impacts, notably the deteriorating security situation in Europe given Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine and the growth in cyber and hybrid threats in Europe. It will combine an enhanced maritime domain awareness with a prioritised focus on ensuring protection of critical maritime infrastructure, especially critical undersea infrastructure.
There is necessarily a focus on the State’s internal security, including the evolving challenges we face from terrorism and extremism and from cyber threats, and a focus on the need to increase our investment in security and to modernise our legislation in the security field, notably in the investigatory powers available to our services.
The ongoing implementation of the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces and the modernisation of aspects of our defence legislation is also included in the preparations.
As maritime security is a key priority, Ireland’s first National Maritime Security Strategy will be published shortly. It will focus on risks and threats in the national security and defence space, in particular in light of the potential vulnerability of our critical maritime infrastructure. The strategy will have an accompanying action plan to ensure delivery of this new whole-of-government approach to the security of the maritime domain, in cooperation with international partners and the private sector, and in accordance with international legal rights and obligations.