130. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Defence her key priorities under the new National Maritime Security Strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33115/26]

139. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Defence when the implementation of the National Maritime Security Strategy, as it relates to our subsea communications infrastructure, will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33168/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 130 and 139 together.

I wish to advise the Deputy that I launched Ireland’s first National Maritime Security Strategy on 25 February. My vision for this 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.

This first strategy focuses on risks and threats to Ireland’s national security and defence, including the protection of our critical maritime infrastructure, particularly critical undersea infrastructure.

My reason for this focus on critical infrastructure in our maritime domain is because many major undersea cables land on our shores or transit through our EEZ carrying significant amounts of global internet traffic and financial data. In addition, our energy sector is heavily supported by subsea gas pipelines and electricity interconnectors. There are also plans advancing to develop significant offshore renewable facilities in our waters.

This infrastructure is vulnerable to hybrid threats resulting from the evolving geo-political situation. Vessels from the Russian Shadow Fleet also present a significant challenge from the environmental risk they pose and their ability to potentially damage our undersea infrastructure.

My focus is now on implementing the strategy and operationalising its accompanying action plan so that I can deliver a new, whole-of-government approach to protecting the security of our maritime domain, in cooperation with international partners and the private sector, and in accordance with our international legal rights and obligations.