Shay Brennan urges EU cyber, NATO cooperation over hybrid threats
Shay Brennan addressed recent Russian drone incursions and hybrid threats, urging Ireland to coordinate with EU partners on intelligence sharing and cyber defence. He emphasised an individually tailored plan with NATO for cyber security, subsea cable protection, mentoring and training and warned against reluctance to such cooperation.
Coordination with EU partners
Brennan said Ireland must work with like-minded member states to share knowledge and information on cyber attacks and the movements of the Shadow Fleet, and to ensure coordinated responses across Europe.
Cyber security and NATO cooperation
He stressed that cyber security cannot be defended against without working with others and explained the Government has an individually tailored plan with NATO covering cyber security, subsea cables, expertise sharing, mentoring and training.
Maritime intelligence and the Shadow Fleet
Brennan highlighted reports of ships loitering and the need to share intelligence about where the Shadow Fleet is operating, warning that such activity supports gathering information on critical economic infrastructure.
Energy security and critical infrastructure threats
He referenced calls from the European Parliament and the Council for a stronger EU response, noting discussions have included joint air defence measures, tougher sanctions and new protocols to address aerial and hybrid threats.
Government assessment and next steps
Brennan said the Government is taking the threats very seriously and underlined that overcoming any reluctance to international cooperation is essential to protect subsea cables, transport and energy infrastructure and to strengthen resilience.
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In recent weeks, we have seen an increase in Russian drone incursions into airspace of several EU member states, and these are accompanied by threats to energy and transport infrastructure. Both the European Parliament and the Council have called for a stronger, more coordinated EU response, including potential joint air defence measures, tougher sanctions and new protocols to address aerial and hybrid threats. Teacher, could you outline Ireland's position in these ongoing EU discussions? Specifically, is Ireland advocating for a common European air defence framework, for a greater intelligence sharing and protection of critical infrastructure, or for stronger coordinated sanctions? And finally, how does the Government assess our own capacity to respond to hybrid attacks, and what forms of EU solidarity or support does it consider most vital in this context? And Deputy Brennan added to this, and I'll come back to Deputy Moinan's point earlier, and Deputy Brennan raised, like, I do believe we have to coordinate with fellow member states in Europe in terms of our, to protect against these cyber attacks, to protect against, to share knowledge, to share information as to where some of the Shadow Fleet are loitering, where the Shadow Fleet are turning up, and so on like that. So we do have to work with our like-minded member states, you know, in order to make sure that we know what's going on, and that others know what's going on, and that it's coordinated. And we will continue to coordinate and to work with others to gain knowledge, and so on. Cyber security can't be defended against without working with others. It's about sharing knowledge, expertise, and information. And that's why we have an individually tailored plan with NATO in terms of the issue of cyber security, subsea cables, in terms of knowledge and expertise, and mentoring and training, and so on like that, because it's needed. And we need to get over any screamishness about that in the world we live in today, because otherwise, if people don't believe this stuff, your head is in the sand, in terms of the threats that are out there now. And Deputy Deputy Borne and Brennan have outlined them in no uncertain terms. And that's what I have to say right now. And we are taking all of it very seriously. We had a discussion on energy security earlier. And there is, you know, no question. Ships have been loitering, and Russia is gathering information all the time, in respect of critical economic infrastructure that everyone in Europe depends on, and the world depends on.
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