Mayo TD seeks security assurances ahead of Ireland's EU presidency

A Mayo TD has asked for assurances regarding Ireland’s defence and security preparedness for holding the EU Presidency next year.

Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh raised the issue with Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee.

The minister outlined preparations for the presidency are now intensifying across government.

She elaborated: "It is important to note that National Security rests primarily with the Department of Justice and An Garda Síochána.

"The Defence Forces’ role, as always, is to provide support to An Garda Síochána where specific capabilities are required under the Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP) framework.

"An Garda Síochána is central to the security planning and preparation. It has established a dedicated European Union Presidency co-ordination office to oversee all aspects of operational planning, logistics and inter-agency engagement.

"Support during the presidency may include security-related and logistical assistance from across the Defence Forces — the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps — in response to requirements identified by An Garda Síochána.

"The Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána maintain a strong working relationship, and engagement has already taken place in respect of preliminary security planning.

"Further engagement with colleagues in the Department of Justice and AGS will ensure early visibility of any formal requests for Defence Forces assistance."

In an earlier parliamentary question, Deputy Conway-Walsh asked if all protocols were followed during the incident involving five drones endeavouring to intercept the plane carrying President Zelenskyy recently and if a C70 form was completed to ensure a Garda-Defence Forces co-ordinated response.

In reply, Minister McEntee said notwithstanding some suggestions, President Zelenskyy's flight was not compromised and the security operation led by An Garda Síochána was successfully deployed through multiple means, ultimately leading to a safe and successful visit.

"When we are speaking about these issues, we all need to ensure that we are speaking about the facts.

"I appreciate Deputy Conway-Walsh is asking for facts but in some instances only limited information can be provided given the security nature of what we are discussing.

"I have been fully briefed, in my capacity as Minister for Defence as part of the national security committee, on the initial findings and I am reassured by both the Defence Forces and An Garda Síochána that they have examined and are examining this matter extensively.

"While I can confirm a C70 was issued by An Garda Síochána to the Defence Forces seeking assistance in respect of the visit of President Zelenskyy, the deputy will appreciate I cannot comment further because these are operational matters. However, a C70 form was issued by An Garda Síochána to the Defence Forces.

"One of my key priorities as Minister for Defence is to ensure our Defence Forces capabilities are maintained, developed and enhanced so that the organisation can meet all government-assigned roles, including those that may arise as a result of drone incursions.

"This is something we are seeing more and more of across Europe and the world.

"The work of the Defence Forces in this space aligns with broader national security planning that is ongoing.

"Work is well under way on the military radar programme I mentioned earlier, which is a significant capability enhancement.

"A dedicated project team of senior civil and military personnel has been advancing this programme, particularly in relation to the counter-drone element and it is being actively pursued by my officials.

"I have brought to Cabinet the next stages of the new radar system. We have put forward the new preliminary business case. We are partnering with France and I hope early in the new year to be able to bring the final business, so that we can start what will be an extensive roll-out of our new radar capabilities."

Deputy Conway-Walsh said she welcomed the increase in the radar capability.

"It is very important. I appreciate that the minister cannot give every detail and has to be cautious in what she says but people want to know.

"They want reassurance that we are resilient enough and that our reliance is holding up and being improved all the time.

"One of the questions that has been asked of me a lot is on what protocol is in place when there is drone activity in our airspace. Are airlines notified? What happens when such incidents occur?

"I very much appreciate and welcome the fact that President Zelenskyy had a safe landing and take-off, and was safe while he was here.

"That tells us certain things but we need to know whether other incidents could have happened and whether all the protocols were followed in that incident."

Minister McEntee said she had confidence in our ability to defend ourselves and those who travel to this country.

"However, we all appreciate that there is more we need to do. We are no different from any other country in that regard.

"There are, of course, standard operating procedures, SOPs, different rules of engagement and different laws depending on whether an incident occurs on sea, air or land. It is for those who are trained and who are operating on the ground to respond and make sure they comply with the different standard operating procedures.

"At all times, whether it was the Naval Service or those responding, those involved in this incident operated within the SOPs.

"However, as there should be with any incident like this, a review is taking place and the garda is working closely with the Defence Forces on that.

"If there are operating procedures that need to be enhanced, improved or changed and if better structures need to be put in place, that certainly should be done.

"I reiterate that there was not a closing of airspace and no significant issue arose.

"Of course we need to be very serious about any type of threat and any types of drones in our airspace or within the vicinity of our vessels.

"This is something we are taking extremely seriously. It is why we are prioritising within the €1.7 billion budget the development of new radar capabilities and the expansion of our sonar, air fleet and ground fleet."

Deputy Conway Walsh responded: "I reiterate that we need to have some transparency. That is why I asked that the remit of the defence and national security committee be revisited. Transparency and accountability are very important.

"I welcome the investment the Minister announced, which is badly needed to address the neglect there has been of our Defence Forces, but there must be oversight of how it is spent and accountability for it.

"People need to know we are resilient as a State. That is necessary not just for the public but also in terms of our competitiveness and the assurances we can give to foreign direct investors in this country.

"They need to be assured right across the board in terms of our cybersecurity and security generally.

"Those issues have gone way up the scale in terms of things that are important to multinational businesses and also to our indigenous businesses."