Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

14. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on the considerations of expanding cooperation with NATO in areas of cyber-attack and maritime intelligence; if this has implications for Ireland’s position of military neutrality; its implications on the triple lock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13385/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Ireland has been a member of NATO’s Partnership for Peace (PfP) since 1999. Our relationship with NATO is partner-led, which allows us to choose those areas on which we wish to cooperate and the extent to which we wish to cooperate.

Over the past 24 years, participation in Partnership for Peace has been fundamental to Ireland being able to keep abreast of developments in areas such as training, peacekeeping capabilities and interoperability which enhances the ability of our peacekeepers to work alongside those of our partners.

NATO is the international standards organisation for military forces. Through our participation in Partnership for Peace, our Defence Forces have access to NATO training and standards which has proved invaluable in the development of Defence Forces capabilities for the increasingly complex and challenging crisis management operations we face today. It improves the quality of our contribution to UN missions and UN-mandated missions including those led by regional organisations such as the EU and NATO.

Ireland is currently at the early stage of developing a renewed partnership programme for the 2023 - 2027 period (the Individually Tailored Partnership Programme, or ITPP). This new framework presents an opportunity to enhance our cooperation in relevant areas of choice. These could, for example, include areas such as cyber and hybrid, enhancing resilience and improved maritime situational awareness.

Ireland is currently participating in a number of Cyber and Maritime Surveillance related projects at EU level and exploring opportunities in these areas through our participation in Partnership for Peace could bring added value. This engagement does not have any implication for Ireland's position of military neutrality nor on the Triple Lock.

The primary role of the Defence Forces with regard to Cyber Security relates to the defence and security of its own networks and systems both at home and overseas. Cyber security is an issue with very significant implications for governmental administration, for industry, for economic wellbeing and for the security and safety of citizens.

Any engagement with NATO through Partnership for Peace in relation to Cyber will naturally involve the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications as the national agency with lead responsibility for Cyber Security.