The Tánaiste has approves the Irish Defence Forces participation in an EU maritime information-sharing initiative.
The Common Information Sharing Environment (CISE) is an EU-organised network that enables both civil and military to share classified and non-classified information with EU maritime authorities.
The Department of Defence says the system allows for “more effective operations at sea amid new and evolving maritime threats.”
CISE became fully operational last year with the aim of creating a more effective network for security at sea by sharing information gathered by maritime authorities including ports and civilian vessels as well as by European navies.
The information is used to aid customs, fisheries and law enforcement, but also for security and defence intelligence.
The Department of Defence says CISE plays “a crucial role” by “increasing awareness of maritime activities and improving responses to growing threats at sea, including physical and cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure, drug trafficking and other illegal activities.”
The Department of Defence is expected to formally notify the European Commission that the Irish Defence Forces will join CISE.
Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Simon Harris TD, said Ireland’s membership will bring “considerable benefits”.
The government’s Maritime Security Strategy is “helping to safeguard our maritime domain, boost our resilience and helping us to contribute with partners at an EU level”, he added.