Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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73. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions her Department has taken in response to Russian vessels and the Russian shadow fleet operating in Irish waters; if she has raised this with the Russian authorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66242/25]

Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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96. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to provide an update on discussions at the most recent EU Foreign Affairs Council regarding the presence and activities of Russian state-linked vessels operating in close proximity to Irish territorial waters; if concerns relating to maritime security, hybrid threats and the protection of critical subsea infrastructure were raised by Ireland at the Council; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66686/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 73 and 96 together.

Along with EU and like-minded international partners, the Irish Government has expressed concerns about the shadow fleet, which engages in illegal operations for the purpose of circumventing sanctions on Russian oil, evades compliance with insurance, safety or environmental regulations and which poses environmental, maritime safety and security risks, including to critical subsea infrastructure, by engaging in illegal activities. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade engages regularly with partners on efforts to counter the shadow fleet.

Ireland fully supported the 19th package of sanctions against Russia, published last month, which included provision for a ban on imports of Russian liquefied natural gas, and a port access ban on more shadow fleet vessels.

I attended the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on 20 November, where EU Foreign Ministers discussed a range of issues, including Russian aggression against Ukraine. This included a discussion on ways to increase pressure on Russia, including through measures to disrupt the shadow fleet.

At the FAC meeting, I expressed Ireland’s support for efforts to further counter the shadow fleet, including through consideration of further sanctions. I welcomed the work of the EU Sanctions Envoy, Mr. David O’Sullivan, in this regard. I informed partners of the development, by the Department of Defence, of Ireland’s first Maritime Security Strategy, which will have a focus on protecting critical subsea infrastructure as well as enhanced maritime domain awareness, including through strengthening international cooperation frameworks.

The Defence Forces lead on and continue to carry out monitoring and surveillance of Ireland’s EEZ using Naval Service assets and Air Corps maritime patrol aircraft. In addition to at-sea monitoring, the Naval Operations Command Centre in Haulbowline carries out remote monitoring 24 hours a day, seven days a week.