Researchers warn that the growing presence of Russia, China and Iran in the Republic of Ireland “demonstrates an intent to infiltrate and interfere in the transatlantic community”.
Britain needs to “rediscover Northern Ireland’s strategic importance to national security” following the repair of Stormont, a major report has warned.
Think tank Policy Exchange said there was a threat from Russia, Iran and China to use the Republic of Ireland as a “backdoor” into the UK. The report said risks were heightened by “the republic’s reluctance to invest adequately in its military and security apparatus.”
The researchers warned that the growing presence of Russia, China and Iran in the Republic of Ireland “demonstrates an intent to infiltrate and interfere in the transatlantic community”.
They are calling on the UK government to restore an active naval and air force presence to the west of the Irish Sea to fend off external threats.
In their foreword to the report, Defense Secretary Michael Fallon and Lord Robertson of Port Ellen welcomed the study, saying it “forcefully reasserts the strategic importance of Ireland, and in particular Northern Ireland, to the UK’s national security.” There is,” he said.
“Russian intelligence vessels and warships have been identified off the coast of Ireland and near critical transatlantic cables,” they continued.
“The growing presence of Russia, Iran and China in the Republic poses a backdoor threat to the UK itself.”
“As Russia increasingly pursues vulnerabilities in its transatlantic maritime infrastructure, the UK must take action to clamp down on its north-west waters,” said Policy Exchange author Marcus Sollarz Hendricks.
“The United Kingdom cannot replace Ireland in the role of the Irish state, but by fundamentally changing the nature of Northern Ireland’s security regime, we are weakening our patience with evasive approaches to collective security. It will send a strong signal to the Republic that this has become the norm.”
In a historic moment on Saturday, two years of political paralysis at Stormont ended, with Sinn Fein vice-president Michelle O’Neill sworn in as the republic’s first prime minister. In his first British interview since taking office, he said a referendum on Irish unity would be held within the next 10 years.
Asked whether he expected a referendum on Irish unity, Mr O’Neill replied: “Yes.” We believe this is a decade of opportunity. And there are a lot of events that are changing all the old norms, the nature of the country, the fact that a nationalist republican was never supposed to be prime minister. All of this speaks to that change. ”
Asked if he would be more conciliatory now that he is Prime Minister, Mr O’Neill told Sky Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips: “I will consider every invitation that comes my way.” “I think that’s important. And again, it’s about showing in your words and actions that you intend to fulfill the commitments and promises that I’ve made to everyone. ” she said. .