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

We currently have our own drone capacities but they are generally used for surveillance, not trying to counter. There is work under way at the moment to develop a further or future strategy on the acquisition of different types of drones that could be used. That is at an early stage and is being developed. In terms of our subsea capabilities, as part of the NDP plan I mentioned last week, which was published, investment in our sonar capability, the towed sonar the Deputy referred to, is being prioritised as the first project. This will see the Naval Service acquire sonar capability that will be used to detect objects that would be near cables and pipelines within Irish territorial waters and within our exclusive economic zone, EEZ. This new acquisition will enhance awareness below the surface, which is absolutely vital for us as an island, contributing to the overall maritime picture available to the Naval Service and the wider Defence Forces. We are investing in our capacity in air, on land and under water.

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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