Ireland plans new legal powers for naval service to strengthen maritime security

March 12, 2026, by Fatima Bahtić

Ireland is preparing to introduce new legislation granting the naval service expanded powers to safeguard the country’s maritime domain.

Irish Navy photo of P50-class OPV LÈ Niamph

The proposals, announced by Minister of Defense Helen McEntee, aim to strengthen maritime security and protect critical infrastructure such as undersea cables, pipelines, and offshore energy installations amid growing concerns over emerging threats in Irish waters.

The minister confirmed that officials in the Department of Defence have worked closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade and the Attorney General’s Office to develop proposals for short, targeted legislation that is consistent with international law and aligned with best international practice.

The legislation will amend the Defence Act 1954 to formally assign to the Defence Forces specific functions in safeguarding and protecting the State’s rights in the territorial sea and exclusive economic zone.

Under the proposals, members of the Naval Service will be given clearly defined unilateral statutory powers at sea to counter threats in our maritime domain, including the ability to:

board vessels operating in Ireland’s maritime zones
inspect documents, equipment and activities on board vessels
direct a vessel to leave a specified area or alter its route where necessary
require a vessel to cease activities that may threaten critical infrastructure or the marine environment.

These powers will be exercised in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and will help ensure that vessels operating in Irish waters are complying with international maritime rules.

To remind, Ireland recently launched its first National Maritime Security Strategy, setting out a five-year roadmap to protect the state’s sovereign maritime interests.

Ireland launches first-ever National Maritime Security Strategy

Authorities

“Ireland’s maritime domain is of critical strategic importance. Major undersea cables that carry huge volumes of global internet and financial data pass through our waters, while gas pipelines, electricity interconnectors and planned offshore renewable energy infrastructure are also located in our maritime area,” McEntee said.

“Currently, the Defence Forces exercise a range of maritime enforcement powers on behalf of other State agencies under various pieces of legislation. However, the Defence Acts themselves do not explicitly assign maritime enforcement powers to the Defence Forces. This legislation will for the first time provide them with specific statutory powers under the Defence Acts to carry out these functions,” she added.

“It is important that the Defence Forces have the necessary legal powers in place as soon as possible. I intend to bring this legislation forward as a priority, including exploring options to progress it quickly through the Oireachtas ahead of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union from July 2026,” McEntee concluded.