First-Ever National Maritime Security Strategy launched

The Minister for Defence, Helen McEntee TD, launched Ireland’s first-ever National Maritime Security Strategy, which follows from an extensive public consultation that generated approximately 300 submissions from a wide range of interests, including government bodies, academia, industry and individual members of the public.

Speaking at the launch of the new strategy, Minister McEntee said:

“I am very pleased today to launch Ireland’s first National Maritime Security Strategy. This strategy is not just a policy document, but it is also an action plan to deliver an improved maritime security environment where citizens and Irish interests are protected.

“Every day, we see an increasingly volatile geopolitical situation highlighting the vulnerabilities of our critical maritime infrastructure and our ability to monitor and protect our waters.

“As an island nation, we are reliant on our critical maritime infrastructure. This first-ever national strategy includes a particular a focus on risks and threats in the national security and defence space.

“The immediate focus now is on implementation and action. I will move immediately to deliver a new, whole-of-government approach to protect the security of our maritime domain, along with developing the concept of a national maritime security centre.

“I will also ensure that Ireland cooperates with regional partners and international institutions. This will include cooperating closely with our near neighbours on new initiatives and exploring the opportunity for Ireland to host or partner in a regional cable monitoring hub for the EU in the North Atlantic.

“While the Government’s role is essential, the private sector also has a crucial role and, indeed, a responsibility to play its part complementing that of the Government. They are the owners and operators of much of our critical maritime infrastructure and are at the heart of this new approach.

“I will also champion a new legal approach to maritime security in Ireland and ensure that the Defence Forces have all the necessary enforcement powers they need when at sea.”

Minister McEntee concluded by noting the important role that the Defence Forces, particularly the Naval Service and Air Corps, will have in implementing elements of the strategy:

“The joint actions of the Defence Force will provide a vital foundation for the strategy. As the maritime component of the Defence Forces, the Naval Service is Ireland’s principal sea-going agency, carrying out both military and non-military roles.

“This Strategy acknowledges the key role the Naval Service undertakes in respect of supporting various maritime functions through delivery of monitoring from ashore and patrols at sea conducting multi-faceted activities, involving maritime surveillance, drug interdiction, fisheries protection, search and rescue, and maritime defence and security operations.

“The Air Corps also plays a vital role in this work through their patrolling of our seas using highly specialised maritime surveillance aircraft.”