Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The EU and its member states - including Ireland - have significant strategic interests in identifying and addressing security challenges linked to the coastal defence, and Ireland takes part in a range of EU initiatives in this regard. In October 2023, the European Union approved its revised European Union maritime security strategy and related action plan, aimed at addressing security challenges at sea and aligned with recent European Union policy frameworks and instruments, such as the strategic compass for security and defence.

While I stress that defence remains a national competence, Ireland sees the value in member states’ national maritime activities voluntarily feeding into greater European Union co-operation and adding value where possible and has availed of opportunities provided by our membership of the European Union’s Common Security and Defence Policy in this regard. We take part in the existing European naval maritime surveillance information-sharing network EDA MARSUR project; the PESCO project Upgrade of Maritime Surveillance which aims to enhance maritime situational awareness; and the PESCO project maritime semi autonomous systems for mine counter-measures which aims to deliver a high level collaboration and delivery of semi-autonomous underwater, surface and aerial technologies which can be used in a mine counter-measures role.

Ireland is also observing on the PESCO project on critical seabed infrastructure protection, which aims to increase the European Union’s operational efficiency in the protection of critical maritime infrastructure protection. Government approval has been obtained to move to participant status on this project, and a motion on participation in this project was taken by the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence earlier today. A further debate will be held on this matter in the Dáíl tomorrow.

Another PESCO project Ireland is observing on is harbour and maritime surveillance and protection which aims to implement a deployable integrated capability system for the continuous protection of vessels, harbours and any other offshore critical infrastructure able to properly prevent and counter threats. This work will enhance the resilience of critical entities that provide services essential for vital societal functions including critical seabed infrastructure.

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