Ireland 'will advance EU security and defence agenda' during its presidency

Wed, 03 Jun, 2026 - 20:27

Cormac O’Keeffe

Defence minister Helen McEntee has said Ireland will advance the EU “security and defence agenda” when it assumes the presidency on July 1.

She said it will be a “particular focus” of the high-profile meeting of EU defence ministers due to be held in Ireland in late August.

Ms McEntee, who is also foreign minister, was speaking after meeting her French defence counterpart, Catherine Vautrin, in Paris.

She said they also discussed the issue of “closer defence capability co-operation” between Ireland of France.

Last January both countries signed a wide-ranging France-Ireland 2026–2030 Joint Strategic Framework, which included pledges to deepen co-operation on security and defence issues, including maritime security, hybrid attacks, defence capabilities and cybersecurity.

Expanding links with France and UK

The Government has been busy expanding arrangements with both France and the UK, about providing military assistance, including in Irish-controlled waters, during the six-month presidency.

This is, in part, due to limited naval assets, and personnel, in the Naval Service.

In a statement the Department of Defence said that, in view of the deterioration in the international security situation, Ms McEntee confirmed Ireland’s full support for initiatives at the EU level to increase resilience and capabilities of EU member states and committed that Ireland will support and advance the EU security and defence agenda during the forthcoming EU presidency. Ms McEntee said:

We will constructively advance the security and defence agenda at EU level during the presidency, which will be a particular focus of the informal meeting of EU defence ministers due to be held in Ireland in late August.

“I expect that the topic of maritime security to be one of my priorities during the presidency, recognising the importance of cooperation in the area of our shared maritime security, particularly in safeguarding critical maritime infrastructure.”

She said: “This will include supporting EU-level efforts to enhance maritime domain awareness, address emerging risks such as hybrid maritime threats, and contributing to the mid-term review of the EU Maritime Security Strategy in the second half of 2026.”

Ireland favours greater EU independence from the US ahead of assuming EU presidency

Ireland published its first Maritime Security Strategy last February.

The statement said the two ministers discussed the current situation in the Middle East, particularly in Lebanon, where both France and Ireland have personnel serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil), which is due to finish at the end of the year.

Condolences for French peacekeepers

Ms McEntee expressed her condolences on the recent death of two French peacekeepers and committed Ireland’s continued support for the mission and for Lebanon after the Unifil mission ends.

“Given Ireland’s long-term engagement in the region, we wish to remain supportive of Lebanon and are actively considering how best to continue to support Lebanon after the end of the Unifil mission, via either the UN or EU efforts,” she said.

“We are keen to progress EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) efforts, including the potential establishment of a CSDP mission, as a means of contributing to peace and security in southern Lebanon, including the possibility of a military CSDP Training Mission, along with European Peace Facility supports.”

She said this was something they will seek to progress during Ireland’s Presidency.

The statement said the ministers examined “closer defence capability co-operation” between the two countries. Ms McEntee said:

The Irish Government is committed to strengthening the capabilities of the Defence Forces to respond to a changed landscape, reflecting a deterioration in the international security situation.

“France’s established expertise in defence capability development and programme delivery, combined with Ireland’s focus on effective, sustainable and interoperable solutions for the Defence Forces, provides a strong foundation for constructive co-operation.”

Last January’s strategic framework made this commitment between Ireland and Britain: “Expand and deepen our co-operation on security and defence issues, with a particular focus on professional military education and training, defence capabilities, exchange of classified information, cybersecurity, disinformation and hybrid attacks, and maritime security.”