Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 May 2026
77. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Defence if a dedicated subsea infrastructure incident response plan is in place; the way in which such an incident would be managed across her Department and the relevant stakeholders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33169/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI agree with the Deputy on the need for incident response plans for subsea infrastructure. That is why I launched the National Maritime Security Strategy earlier this year. It represents a new, whole-of-government approach to protecting the security of our maritime domain, in cooperation with international partners and the private sector, and in accordance with our international legal rights and obligations.
As part of this new, whole-of-government approach, I am pleased to confirm that the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport will shortly be establishing a Subsea Communications Cables Industry Forum, which my Department will participate in. This new industry forum will support structured coordination and collaboration between Government and key cable industry representatives.
The creation of this new industry forum will also help progress the work that that Department is leading on to develop preparedness and response structures for subsea telecoms cables incidents which could cause significant disruption to Ireland’s international connectivity. Officials from my Department are supporting this work.
Encouraging closer cooperation with the private sector is another key part of the new approach to maritime security represented by the National Maritime Security Strategy. After all, the private sector are the owners and operators of much of the critical undersea infrastructure that we rely on. They have a key role to play in supporting our maritime security.
Two weeks ago I addressed the Valentia Island Subsea Cable Security and Resilience Symposium, which included representatives from industry, government, military and academia. Bringing together key stakeholders from diverse sectors and having the opportunity to talk directly to industry about these vital issues supports our own national security and resilience as well as the security and resilience of Europe as a whole.
