19. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport when the capital funding programmes for sport, such as the community sport facilities fund will open for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33292/26]

Sentiment score: 0.01

74. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Defence if she will outline the importance of the National Maritime Security Strategy, particularly in relation to protecting critical infrastructure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33263/26]

Sentiment score: 0.16

My question largely focuses on objective 2 of the national maritime security strategy and how we can improve the security and resilience of Ireland's critical maritime infrastructure. Will the Minister outline the importance of the national maritime security strategy, particularly as it relates to protecting critical infrastructure?

Sentiment score: 0.52

I welcome the national maritime security strategy. It is a very positive step forward. With the EU Presidency just around the corner, this defence issue has rarely been more topical. We face potential threats now that we would not have thought of ten, 15 or 20 years ago. The sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines, for example, puts into perspective how vulnerable we would be if that were to happen to us. The two interconnector gas connections going from Scotland to Ireland will carry 86% of our gas for this winter. The new Celtic interconnector on the seabed between Cork and France when it comes live will have 700 MW of power, powering potentially 450,000 homes. These are all vulnerable. Until we transition to renewable energy sources, they will be vulnerable. Will the Minister elaborate further what is being done to safeguard those particular assets from man-made threats to them?

Sentiment score: 0.03

I really welcome the co-operation with the UK on this matter. Let us be honest: it has technological capabilities and experience in this area that we can really learn from. That partnership is therefore really welcome. I am Chair of the climate, environment and energy committee, and we had a briefing recently from officials from the French embassy and they really highlighted the issues around the Russian shadow fleet and its proximity in terms of its operations close to our waters or, in fact, sometimes in our waters and the threats they carry. I would welcome, in the context of the Presidency, Ireland really pushing that issue with France to try to prioritise resolving those issues. There are environmental risks associated with the shadow fleet. They are probably the least of the risks but they are there as well because those vessels are so dated. As Chair of the climate committee, I have seen first hand how vital certainty and stability are for energy. The roll-out of the new EU-wide resilience measures that the Minister mentioned and the co-operation with our partners are really important. I would appreciate if we could keep that on the clár for the EU Presidency.

Sentiment score: 0.35