6. Deputy John Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for an update on the development of a national maritime security strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31156/25]

Sentiment score: 0.15

As the Minister is aware, the Commission on the Defence Forces report proposed the development of a national maritime security strategy. I hear welcome news this morning that a public consultation process on the development of the strategy has been opened as of this morning. Will the Minister provide us with further information as to how the strategy will develop and evolve from here towards its completion? Will he provide a timeframe as to when we will see the strategy completed and ready to be enacted?

Sentiment score: 0.31

The Minister has outlined well the potential threats that exist to our subsea cable infrastructure and to other aspects of our maritime domain, which require addressing and this strategy. One other recommendation that came from the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces was that the powers required by the Naval Service for effective enforcement in support of national security in the maritime domain should be addressed as there appears to be some inconsistency between the pieces of legislation in this area. Has the Minister any plans to address that issue? There seems to be an inconsistency between the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006, the Maritime Security Act 2004 and the Maritime Safety Act 2005. Is a consolidating piece of legislation needed in this area? One further recommendation of the Commission on the Defence Forces was the development of a naval base for the Naval Service Reserve in Galway. This should form part of this strategy. The Naval Service has no coastal cover on the west coast between Limerick and Donegal. A naval base in Galway, therefore, would be appropriate.

Sentiment score: 0.12

I welcome that the Minister will engage with Defence Forces personnel regarding a base for the Naval Service Reserve in Galway. There is little coastal coverage for the Naval Service between Limerick and Donegal, which is quite a wide area. Some of the subsea cables to which the Minister referred come into the country through Galway, including some of the transatlantic ones. Indeed, some cables come in north of Galway as well. One cable comes inland in County Mayo. Of course, Galway already has Defence Forces personnel within the city. We have Dún Uí Mhaoilíosa Barracks in Renmore, which the Minister has visited twice since his appointment. In the context of the recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces, this recommendation for a base for the Naval Service Reserve is a prudent one. It would fit well into the development of the national maritime security strategy and a national security plan.

Sentiment score: 0.22