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Military experts are scathing of the preparedness of Ireland’s maritime defence capability

The Naval Service's 'maritime domain' consists of not only its territorial waters and its Exclusive Economic Zone, but also its claimed extended continental shelf. Picture: Valerie O'Sullivan

The vulnerability of Ireland’s maritime security is down to “inaction” of successive governments and limited capabilities of agencies charged with its protection, according to a senior naval officer.

Lieutenant Wietse Buwalda said that these vulnerabilities were “particularly concerning” given Ireland’s location between the US and the EU, and its responsibilities to safeguard a large areas of the seas around western Europe.