'I don't see a security risk': Taoiseach on Chinese links to Ireland's third-level institutions

Mr Martin also said an EU-China trade deal was 'logical' for the two to resolve trading issues

Taoiseach Micheal Martin, centre, with his delegations at the Great Hall of the People to meet with Chinese president Xi Jinping on Monday. Photo: AP/Andy Wong

The Taoiseach does not believe there is a security threat from closer ties between Irish third-level institutions and China.

In an interview before Christmas, the head of the Irish Military Intelligence Service (IMIS) suggested that Chinese influence over research in Irish colleges was a security risk. 

The unnamed officer added that China was a “hostile state actor” that the Irish military has a “concern about”.

On the third day of a five-day trip to China, Micheál Martin said he did not believe that there is a risk. Mr Martin was speaking at a Beijing hotel following a showcase for the third-level sectors of both nations attended by 12 Irish institutions.

Asked if he had concerns about national security related to Chinese funding and co-operation in research in Ireland, Mr Martin said there was little in the way of sensitive research undertaken and that there are “guardrails” in place.

“I don't see a security risk. Genuinely. I think there are enough guardrails in place to prevent anything like that occurring."

He said that after meeting with third-level institutions, there was "no sense of this in any practical terms, or any manifestation of what's been asserted”. 

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Mr Martin said: “The most fundamental issue for us will always be academic autonomy and academic freedom and the preservation of that, but that has never come into any danger or threat from these partnerships”.

The Taoiseach said universities here have been involved with universities in China for quite a long time, and the undergraduate programs don't have any security risks attached to them.

“And the arrangements are practical, are of benefit, financially and otherwise, to the Irish universities. But also, there's no great sensitive research on the way in the context of security issues or anything like that.” 

Trade

Asked about the potential of an EU-China trade deal, Mr Martin said that such a move was “logical” for the two to resolve trading issues. 

“Issues have emerged in terms of rare minerals, in terms of EVs, in terms of agricultural products, and we've experienced that. So the articulation yesterday was one that Europe and China should engage with a view to trying to resolve it within a broader framework. 

"Ireland will always be constructive on trading matters. We've always been in the school within the European Union that has favoured open trade, we've always been worried about protectionist trends because we're a small open economy, and we export over 90% of what we produce, and so it would be problematic for us if the world goes more protectionist.” 

Mr Martin said he was not in a position to “flesh out” what a deal might look like, but said talks have been positive with Chinese leaders. 

On Monday, the Taoiseach met Chinese president Xi Jinping, and on Tuesday met with the second- and third-highest ranking members of the ruling Communist Party. Mr Martin said the meetings have been positive.