Shay Brennan
Ceist:47. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her response to the recent attempted drone attack at Leipzig airport. [69030/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 1 October 2026
Ceisteanna (47, 90)
James O'Connor
Ceist:90. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade her response to recent Russian hybrid attacks against the European Union and its Member States. [69295/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 and 90 together.
The Government has strongly condemned Russia’s attempted drone attack at Leipzig airport in August.
This activity is part of a clear trend. It forms part of a broader, coordinated, and long-standing hybrid campaign aimed at threatening and undermining the security, resilience and democratic foundations of the EU, its Member States and its partners.
In response to the Leipzig incident, I expressed my full solidarity with Germany, and with all Member States affected by Russia’s reckless and increasingly frequent hybrid attacks. I discussed the issue with the HRVP, Kaja Kallas, and my German and other EU counterparts at the meeting of EU Foreign Ministers I hosted in Druid's Glen in early September.
The Ambassador of the Russian Federation was summoned by senior officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on 3 September to hear expression of Ireland’s strong condemnation. Many of our EU partners also did so. Russia’s attempts to divide us and to weaken our support for Ukraine will not succeed.
Ireland is extremely concerned at the continued increased in hybrid activity. Russia’s actions threaten the security of EU citizens, as well as regional stability and international peace.
We support the full use of all tools available to prevent, deter, and respond to Russia’s hybrid activities, including through sanctions.
As Presidency, we are working closely with EU partners to navigate our complex and evolving threat environment, including in response to the events of recent weeks and months. Security is one of Ireland’s overarching Presidency priorities and across all areas, the Irish Presidency promotes a coherent, inclusive and coordinated approach to the Union’s security and defence agenda.
We have prioritised implementation of the EU Hybrid Toolbox and work to strengthen cooperation with partners, including those most affected by hybrid activity. We are focused also on the EU response to Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) and the threats posed to critical infrastructure by hybrid activity.
Like other Member States, Ireland is susceptible to these malicious acts and the Government takes the risks posed by hybrid activity extremely seriously. We continue to work with our EU partners to strengthen our collective resilience.
Domestically, the Government is implementing a range of relevant measures to combat hybrid threats from state and non-state actors, including Russia, its proxies and aligned actors.