Dr. Edward Burke:

If we look at what we have at present, we see that we have the EUNAVFOR MED IRINI in the Mediterranean. This is important.

Russia has been particularly against that, or very critical of it, not least because it has interdicted Russian arms. There is a UN resolution to try to bring about a peaceful settlement to Libya. Russia has been arming one of the parties. IRINI, the EU task force, has sometimes interdicted ships carrying Russian weapons to Libya, so obviously it is against that.

In the Atlantic, we may also need a maritime security strategy. That may involve EU countries including Ireland. It is possible there may be an Atlantic task force in the future.