Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputy Connolly for highlighting this important matter, that is, the need to have Ireland’s first ever maritime security strategy. I heard it said that we would have a new maritime security strategy in place by the end of the year. While it is true that it will be in place by the end of the year, it will be Ireland’s first ever maritime security strategy. I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. I am launching a public consultation on Ireland’s first ever national maritime security strategy today. The purpose of this strategy is to map out our country’s approach to maritime security over the next five years, with a particular focus on dealing with emerging threats and vulnerabilities and protecting our subsea infrastructure. The public consultation will run for four weeks. I invite individuals and groups with an interest in this area to make a submission. The intention is to have a new maritime security strategy approved and published before the end of this year.

We are an island nation with one of the largest sea areas in Europe. It is absolutely vital we have a robust and effective maritime security strategy in place. This strategy will be crucial to assessing any potential threats and vulnerabilities. We need to have a particular focus on protecting our undersea infrastructure. I invite the many people who have an interest and expertise in this area to make their views known and to bring forward their ideas on how we can put in place a strategy that will ensure we take this critical opportunity to have a new and robust approach in order to safeguard our waters. I hope we can have open and constructive dialogue in order to get this strategy right in the time ahead. It is the first strategy of its kind. We need to prioritise the risks and threats we face in our maritime domain and then include a plan to address the most urgent and immediate concerns.

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