Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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185. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on whether the Government’s consideration of joining a NATO subsea group would breach Ireland’s neutrality as reported (details supplied); and the estimated cost to the State to finance membership of the NATO subsea group. [23946/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland’s relationship with NATO is set within the framework of the Partnership for Peace, which Ireland joined in 1999. The relationships between NATO and its partners are based on the principle of self-differentiation, allowing partners to determine the specific elements of cooperation.

Ireland is in the process of renewing its partnership through the Individually Tailored Partnership Programme mechanism. This new framework provides an opportunity to enhance our cooperation in areas such as cyber and hybrid, enhancing resilience and improved maritime situational awareness.

In this context, Ireland, together with other non-NATO members and other industry and civilian stakeholders, will also examine engagement with NATO’s Critical Undersea Coordination Cell. The Critical Undersea Infrastructure Coordination Cell at NATO is itself a new entity, the details and modalities of which remain under discussion within NATO.