Drafting of Air Security Strategy grounded due to National Security Strategy delays

An Irish Air Corps Augusta Westland helicopter flies over the Lough Bird sanctuary.  In February 2022 the Commission on the Defence Forces recommended that a National Aviation Security Strategy be developed. File picture: Larry Cummins

The drafting of an Irish air security strategy appears to have been grounded, more than four years on from recommendations in a defence commission that one should be developed.

Defence Minister Helen McEntee indicated that experts had recommended the National Aviation Security Strategy should not proceed until the long-delayed National Security Strategy is published.

The National Security Strategy has been due since the end of 2021 and meant to cover the period 2020-2025.

The most recent statements in the Dáil have repeated the line that work is “ongoing in finalising drafting the strategy”.

In February 2022 the Commission on the Defence Forces recommended that a National Aviation Security Strategy be developed.

In reply to a parliamentary question, Ms McEntee said: “The National Security and Defence Policy Branch have undertaken initial scoping work on a National Aviation Security Strategy with external consultant support which recommended that this work should be carried out following the publication of a National Security Strategy.

“It is also identified that the Department of Defence would not necessarily be the lead department undertaking this work as the responsibility for aviation security runs across a number of departments, including the Department of Transport.” 

Retired Air Corps officer Kevin Phipps said: “The public consultation process for the national security strategy opened in 2021 and we are still waiting to see the finished product in 2026. 

"In the meantime a National Maritime Strategy was produced earlier this year but yet we are told that we cannot put the cart before the horse when it comes to the Air domain.” 

He said the issues were obvious. “We have no fighter jets to enable us to police our skies, we have no naval helicopters with sub-surface capability, and not enough maritime surveillance aircraft, despite the enormity of our maritime domain. 

"We don’t have enough helicopters for the size of our army and special forces and yet solutions to these problems remain wrapped up in years waiting on reports and process.”

• Cormac O'Keefe is Security Correspondent