Taoiseach Leo Varadkar today struck a defensive tone during his address to the 2024 Munich Security Council, refuting claims that Ireland relies on the British military to protect its territorial waters and undersea cables. Ta.
At a side panel event on neutrality, Mr Varadkar disputed that Ireland actually relies on the British military to protect its seas and protect its undersea cables.
“When it comes to the protection of our seas, we have our own navy, but it is not as strong as we need. We also have an agreement with Pesco and NATO, especially related to the cables strung around the islands. We have signed a partnership for peace, which is not only important to us, but important to our neighbours,” the Taoiseach said.
“I am not aware of any specific UK interventions that have helped us in this regard.”
Varadkar further disputed that it “actually belongs to the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy”.
The Taoists answered: “When did that actually happen?
“When was the last time there was any action or operation by the air force or navy that helped us?”
he said: “We all know that if these facilities are threatened, as is often the case with maritime security and human security, it is a source of security to which we can return.” During World War II, food supplies for 26 counties were guaranteed by the Royal Navy covering convoys.
“I don’t think what I’m saying is controversial in any way.”
Mr Varadkar responded as follows: “You say that in a hypothetical scenario intervention by the Royal Navy or Royal Air Force could occur, but as far as I know that has never happened and there is no possibility that the Royal Navy or Royal Air Force would intervene. Would they intervene in our territorial waters without our permission? ”
He was told that Britain was likely to intervene if there was a Russian invasion that threatened Britain’s own security.
Mr Varadkar responded: “That’s exactly the point. They’re probably doing it to protect themselves, not us.”
The Irish government also questioned claims that the size of the Russian embassy in Ireland was related to Northern Ireland’s proximity to British territory.
Mr Varadkar said there were 15 diplomats and other staff at the Russian embassy in Dublin, which he said was “large for a small country like Ireland, but far from gigantic”.
The conference is considered the world’s premier forum for international peace and security and will be attended by heads of state, as well as policy experts and arms companies.
It will be the first time a sitting Taoiseach has attended the event, and Mr Varadkar’s office said the visit was “an important demonstration of how seriously the Irish Government takes the current security situation in Eastern Europe, Gaza and other parts of the world”. He said that it reflects “what is going on?”
The Taoiseach said his focus was on how countries like Ireland could play a positive role on the world stage “at a time when the world is becoming more unstable and more dangerous”. Told.
According to a report from the Press Association
