Helen McEntee urges stronger EU maritime security ties
Minister for Defence Helen McEntee addressed key European leaders at a maritime security forum today, stressing the need for enhanced cooperation to safeguard critical underwater infrastructure. The event took place at Royal Hospital Kilmainham during Ireland’s EU Council presidency.
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At the Maritime Security Conference held on 28 October 2026 at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham, Minister for Defence Helen McEntee, TD, engaged senior government and industry officials from across Europe in discussions on securing the continent’s maritime domain and vital undersea infrastructure.
Minister McEntee highlighted Ireland’s strides since publishing its inaugural National Maritime Security Strategy earlier this year, emphasising the importance of joint efforts to protect subsea cables, energy pipelines, and other key maritime assets fundamental to Europe’s economy and society.
She detailed recent advancements, including legislation empowering the Defence Forces with maritime security duties, strengthened international collaboration, boosted operational capacities, and ongoing work to integrate Defence Forces into the EU’s Common Information Sharing Environment, expected to go live in early 2027. The Minister reiterated that safeguarding this infrastructure is a shared responsibility between governments, militaries, and the private sector.
Minister McEntee highlighted Ireland’s strides since publishing its inaugural National Maritime Security Strategy earlier this year, emphasising the importance of joint efforts to protect subsea cables, energy pipelines, and other key maritime assets fundamental to Europe’s economy and society.
She detailed recent advancements, including legislation empowering the Defence Forces with maritime security duties, strengthened international collaboration, boosted operational capacities, and ongoing work to integrate Defence Forces into the EU’s Common Information Sharing Environment, expected to go live in early 2027. The Minister reiterated that safeguarding this infrastructure is a shared responsibility between governments, militaries, and the private sector.
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