The President of the European Council Antonio Costa has expressed “full confidence” in Ireland’s capacity to ensure the safety of EU leaders when they travel to Dublin next year during the Irish presidency, despite unidentified drones flying in the Irish Sea during the recent visit of the Ukrainian President.<\/p>\n
Mr Costa said such “aggressive threats” are not new and have been identified in “other European territory”, but added the EU is managing them.<\/p>\n
“What happened last week here in Dublin is another example of the hybrid attacks from Russia, and the hybrid threats from Russia to the European territory,” he said.<\/p>\n
Asked about the Russian Ambassador to Ireland’s denial that his country was in any way involved, the Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin replied: “I don’t share his views.”<\/p>\n
Mr Martin stated that the same Ambassador had denied Russia was preparing to invade Ukraine back in 2022, adding: “We saw how that worked out.”<\/p>\n
He maintained there was an “established pattern of disruption” across Europe and he didn’t believe this was “coincidental.”<\/p>\n
The Taoiseach described the ongoing problem as a “serious issue.”<\/p>\n
Drone issue to be discussed at National Security meeting<\/p>\n
The issue of unidentified drones in the Irish Sea is expected to be discussed over the coming week at a meeting Ministerial Council on National Security.<\/p>\n
It’s a scheduled meeting, rather than an emergency gathering. <\/p>\n
The new council was established in March and is chaired by the Taoiseach. <\/p>\n
It reviews strategic developments in Ireland’s national security, and consider reports on national and international security.<\/p>\n
Membership of the council includes the T\u00e1naiste and Finance Minister, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence, and the Minister for Justice and Migration.<\/p>\n
The Garda Commissioner, Defence Forces Chief of Staff, Director of the National Cyber Security Centre, Secretaries General of Government, Foreign Affairs, Defence and Justice, and the Taoiseach and T\u00e1naiste\u2019s Chiefs of Staff also attend the meetings.<\/p>\n
The ministerial council meets at least three times a year.<\/p>\n
A national security committee, chaired by the Secretary General of the government, meets quarterly to review national security developments, ensure cross-government cooperation, and to prepare reports for the ministerial council.<\/p>\n
Russian Embassy deny involvement in drone activity<\/p>\n
Earlier, the Russian Embassy denied any involvement in drones which were identified over Dublin Bay last week during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to Ireland.<\/p>\n
In a statement to TG4’s 7L\u00c1, the embassy said there has been a lot of media speculation around the drones “in the vicinity of Dublin Airport”.<\/p>\n
It added: “All we have seen is rumours and innuendo. We categorically reject any attempt to portray this incident in the terms of a so-called possible Russian involvement – there is absolutely no basis to that”.<\/p>\n
Reports emerged that unidentified drones were spotted flying in the north-east of Dublin around the time Mr Zelensky’s plane landed at Dublin Airport just before 11pm last Monday.<\/p>\n
Mr Zelensky also said unidentified drones had been spotted near the flight path of his plane.<\/p>\n