The Government is also considering establishing two naval bases on the east and west coasts as part of efforts to increase the state’s maritime security.
It comes as the new national maritime security strategy launching today has identified “critical gaps” in Ireland’s marine domain awareness with the state at heightened risk from foreign actors.
The Government is set to fast track legislation which will give the Naval Service greater powers to act “unilaterally” and aim to have it in place ahead of Ireland’s EU Presidency in July. This is expected to move through the Oireachtas before the Summer recess with an “urgent slot” requested with the Attorney General to bring the law into force, according to a source.
It is also expected that trained personnel will be in place to operate anti-drone systems by the time Ireland hosts the presidency.
A drone incursion last December, during the visit of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, highlighted Ireland’s vulnerabilities and anti-drone systems have since been expedited.
Minister for Defence Helen McEntee will today formally launch the first-ever national maritime security strategy which sets out six key objectives around protecting critical infrastructure and boosting international cooperation.
The strategy also outlines how the current volatile international security environment has “heightened the risk of foreign actors” threatening Ireland’s maritime territory for strategic advantage.
This, it says, gives rise to concerns about covert actions such as surveillance, sabotage of critical undersea infrastructure, espionage and malicious hybrid operations.
A Government source said that the threat of drug importation also remains a major risk.
Ireland’s vast maritime domain presents a potential corridor for various organised criminal enterprises who exploit “perceived gaps in surveillance and enforcement” to engage in drug importation, human trafficking, and arms smuggling.
The strategy also sets out how there are currently “critical gaps” in the state’s comprehensive maritime domain awareness which potentially lead to extended response times. This is being addressed through radar and sonar projects, while the development of naval operating bases on the east and west coast is also being considered.
Ms McEntee said that the first-ever national maritime strategy includes a particular focus on risks and threats to the national security and defence space.
“The immediate focus now is on implementation and action. I will move immediately to deliver a new, whole-of-government approach to protect the security of our maritime domain, along with developing the concept of a national maritime security centre.
“While the Government’s role is essential, the private sector also has a crucial role and, indeed, a responsibility to play its part complementing that of the Government. They are the owners and operators of much of our critical maritime infrastructure and are at the heart of this new approach.
“I will also champion a new legal approach to maritime security in Ireland and ensure that the Defence Forces have all the necessary enforcement powers they need when at sea,” Minister McEntee said.
The launch of the maritime strategy follows from an extensive public consultation that generated approximately 300 submissions from a wide range of interests, including government bodies, academia, industry and individual members of the public.
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