Ireland 'increasingly' a target for espionage by hostile states, security report finds

The Defence Policy Review said Ireland is 'more vulnerable' to cyber and hybrid threats. Picture: File

Ireland’s position as a “global” tech centre and a geographic hub for data centres and internet cables is “increasingly” making it a target for espionage from hostile states, according to a Government security report.

The Defence Policy Review 2024 said Ireland is “more vulnerable” to cyber and hybrid threats, including to the country's critical infrastructure and democratic institutions.

The report, produced by the Department of Defence, said Russian naval activity close to Irish shores highlighted the potential for maritime or hybrid attacks against critical infrastructure.

This includes undersea fibre optic cables, the majority of which pass through or near Irish-controlled waters, which, the review said, were “vital but vulnerable” components of international communication infrastructure.

It said the security of Ireland’s energy infrastructure was of “critical importance”, as Ireland was one of the most energy import-dependent countries in the EU and because of Government plans to massively increase offshore wind energy.

The policy blueprint calls for investment in Ireland’s maritime security and the acquisition of a military radar system, which, it said, was a “pressing requirement”.

The review is the first since the White Paper on Defence Update 2019, a follow-up to the White Paper on Defence 2015.

The naval service has 722 personnel compared to 936 in 2019 and 1,090 in 2015. Picture: Dan Linehan

The current strength of the Defence Forces is 7,477, compared to 8,659 in 2019 and 9,140 in 2015.

The naval service has been hardest hit, currently standing at 722 personnel, compared to 936 in 2019 and 1,090 in 2015.

The report said the “immediate focus” was to stabilise strength and plan for the organisation establishment of 11,500.

The review said the Government is committed to implementing the second of three investment options (LOA 2) suggested by the Commission on Defence Forces, published in February 2022.

“Ireland is increasingly susceptible to threats such as cyber-attacks, espionage, subversion of authority, and attacks on critical infrastructure,” it said, adding the threats were coming from hostile states and malign groups.

It said acts of espionage pose a threat to the Government, the private sector, and universities.

As a global centre for leading-edge technologies, and as a geographical hub for data centres and transatlantic fibre-optic cables, Ireland will continue to present a valuable target for espionage activity and the political influence and information operations that facilitate it.

It said espionage can form part of a wider “hybrid” threat, which can include threats to critical infrastructure, violations of air space and seas, fostering distrust in the Government and its agencies, election interference, disinformation, social unrest, and radicalisation of individuals and groups.

The review said security of energy supplies and energy infrastructure was a growing issue for Ireland, with lines of responsibility in need of clarification.

“Ireland is one of the most energy import-dependent countries in the EU and these risks are amplified by our geographic position and limited supply lines,” it said.

“The transition to a renewables-based energy system will lead to a further evolution in the threats we face as we consider significant infrastructure investments, in energy storage systems, and increased interconnectors.” 

Malign actors

The review said Ireland’s “geographic position and policy of military neutrality no longer minimise threats posed by malign actors” and said we face “similar threats” to other EU states.

Professor Ben Tonra, attached to UCD School of Politics and International Relations, said the review was a “reasonable, if bare-bones assessment”.

“It is a limited in-house review, lacking a detailed and sophisticated assessment of Ireland’s defence needs within Europe’s deteriorating security situation. It fails to match Ireland’s defence needs with a serious programme of defence capacity development.” 

Professor of European Politics at Maynooth University, John O’Brennan, said: “Viewed from Moscow, Ireland is seen as anything but neutral. And, increasingly, because Ireland is viewed as [simultaneously] a core part of the global tech architecture and the soft underbelly of European security, we are attracting serious attention from both Russia and China.”