354. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Defence whether Galway is under active consideration as a site for the proposed west coast Naval Service base referenced in the National Maritime Security Strategy 2026–2030; the criteria being applied in evaluating potential locations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28024/26]

I wish to advise the Deputy that I recently published Ireland’s first National Maritime Security Strategy, the first of its kind in the country. It focuses on risks and threats to Ireland’s national security and defence through a new whole-of-government approach. My vision for this first strategy is that it will support the protection of a secure and sovereign Ireland, where our people and interests are protected, and where our European and international partners can rely on us to uphold the rule of law in the maritime domain.

The strategy has an accompanying action plan to ensure delivery of this new whole-of-government approach to protecting the security of our maritime domain. As part of this action plan, options will be explored to expand the State’s existing naval infrastructure, including exploring the potential for a forward operating base on the West Coast.

While the action plan sets out a timeline of 2030 for a decision regarding the West Coast forward operating base concept, work will commence on this shortly.