Ireland puts maritime security at centre of its EU Council presidency agenda
Ireland makes maritime security a top priority for its EU Council presidency, pledging to protect undersea cables, expand naval powers and shape a comprehensive European security strategy.
Ireland’s incoming EU Council presidency will place maritime security at the forefront, Defence Minister Helen McEntee told members of the European Parliament, saying proactive measures are needed to protect undersea cables and critical communications infrastructure. McEntee said maritime security is essential to safeguarding Europe’s digital backbone and that Ireland’s geographic position gives it a central role in monitoring threats. She urged coordinated action across member states, industry and armed forces to detect and counter risks before they escalate.
McEntee presents priorities to the European Parliament
McEntee outlined Dublin’s priorities during a formal address to parliamentarians, emphasising maritime security as a core focus of the Irish presidency. She framed the initiative as part of a broader effort to respond to emerging risks to Europe’s critical infrastructure. Her remarks linked national measures with a push for EU-level cooperation to strengthen resilience across multiple domains.
Ireland’s strategic position and undersea cable risk
The minister warned that roughly three quarters of undersea communications cables in the Northern Hemisphere pass close to or through Irish waters, making Ireland a pivotal communications gateway for Europe. That proximity, she argued, creates both responsibility and vulnerability when it comes to protecting the continent’s digital and strategic links. McEntee stressed that safeguarding these cables is not only a national interest but a European priority given their importance to commerce, finance and state communications.
National maritime security strategy and legal changes
Dublin presented its first national maritime security strategy in February, according to McEntee, detailing measures to strengthen surveillance, incident response and infrastructure protection. Alongside the strategy, the government proposed an amendment to the Defence Act designed to give the Irish Naval Service increased powers to intercept and inspect tankers described as part of a “shadow fleet.” McEntee told legislators the government expected parliamentary completion of those amendments during the week, noting the changes aim to improve authorities’ ability to interdict suspicious maritime activity.
Cooperation with industry and armed forces
McEntee highlighted the importance of close cooperation between EU member states, defence industries and national armed forces to reduce vulnerabilities and enhance deterrence. She argued that public-private partnerships will be essential to protecting critical maritime infrastructure, from physical cable protection to cyber resilience. The minister also called for pooled capabilities and shared intelligence to enable timely, coordinated responses to incidents at sea.
EU ministers reach shared assessment as strategy is prepared
European Union foreign ministers reached what McEntee described as a “shared understanding” of the nature of threats facing the bloc during recent talks, a development she said will help shape the new EU security strategy. The strategy, proposed by the European Commission, is expected to address defence alongside resilience of democratic institutions, trade policy and strategic dependencies. McEntee said Ireland will use its presidency to push for a strategy that reflects the varied security needs of all member states and strengthens collective preparedness.
Neutrality maintained amid security push
While outlining these security priorities, McEntee reaffirmed Ireland’s long-standing policy of military neutrality, which Dublin maintains alongside Austria and Malta within the Union. She emphasised that the Irish approach focuses on resilience and protective measures rather than alliance-driven military postures. McEntee said each EU member state has submitted its own risk assessment, and Ireland’s priorities are shaped by both national circumstances and shared European concerns.
Ireland’s presidency will therefore balance national positions with a drive for pragmatic, EU-wide policies to better defend critical maritime infrastructure and communications networks. The minister’s message was clear: bolstering maritime security requires early warning, legislative readiness and sustained cooperation between capitals and private actors.
The government’s proposals — including the national strategy and defence-law amendments — signal Dublin’s intent to translate rhetoric into action during its six-month presidency, while respecting Ireland’s neutrality and the diverse security priorities of the Union.