Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 May 2026
283. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide an update on interdepartmental security preparations for Ireland's EU Council Presidency, including arrangements for visiting dignitaries; to indicate how the December 2025 incident involving unidentified drones near President Zelenskyy's flight path is informing current interagency coordination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38358/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to delivering a successful, safe, and secure Presidency of the Council of the EU later this year and continues to engage closely with EU partners as preparations for the Presidency accelerate.
The scale and significance of Presidency events planned to take place in Ireland, mean that unprecedented security considerations arise. The security arrangements being put in place will necessarily reflect the wider backdrop of a changed EU security landscape and a more complex threat environment.
Work is well underway, led by An Garda Síochána, in detailed planning of all aspects of security and policing requirements. This work includes the operational and logistics planning, interagency engagement and continuous liaison with policing and security partners across the EU.
An Garda Síochána is also involved directly in operational planning for the programme of meetings planned during the Presidency, including through participation in the Inter-Departmental Group on Operational Presidency Planning. This considers the practical and logistical requirements of delivering on the Presidency’s programme of meetings and events, including in relation to risk assessments, venues, accommodation and secure transport of high-level delegations.
Counter drone capability will be particularly important for major events being hosted in the State during Ireland’s EU Presidency.
The Government is committed to ensuring that the State is equipped to counter threats posed by drones through a combination of investment in domestic capability and through international partnerships, where appropriate. An Garda Síochána is responsible for countering drones which might pose a security threat in the State in the context of the Presidency. An Garda Síochána has counter drone capacity in place in terms of both detection and mitigation, and continues to build that capacity in line with best international practice. Additional funding has been provided by Government for this purpose. The Defence Forces also have an important role to play both in the defence of the State and as an aid to the civil power, on request. The Minister for Defence has prioritised early delivery of counter drone capabilities for the Defence Forces as part of the Military Radar Programme.
