National Security
Dail Éireann — 2025-12-16
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Helen McEntee (FG), Meath East

On the overall response, at all times the Naval Service vessel the Deputy referred to operated within the standing operating procedures, the different rules of engagement and the law of the sea. They could have exercised the right to self-defence if that was what they decided was necessary or needed. These are all of the scenarios and decisions that have been taken that are under review. That is being conducted by the Garda working closely with the Defence Forces. I think there will always be lessons to be learned. If there are improvements or changes needing to be made, that will be taken under consideration. That information is not necessarily going to be made available or public either, given the security nature of it.
On our radar system, a significant amount of our €1.7 billion capital plan will be invested specifically in a new radar capacity. This will allow for long-range radar systems. There will be radar systems on our naval vessels and there will be a counter-drone technology. This is the specific piece we are bringing forward. I am hoping to have a contract signed very soon which would allow us to purchase these and have them in place and have personnel trained through the early part of next year so they will be live and operational and in use for the Presidency, which will start on 1 July.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2025-12-16/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:28+00:00
Sitting date: 2025-12-16