Security in the spotlight
Presidency events will include meetings between political leaders that entail greater security risks.
Last year, during a visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Ireland, a handful of unmarked drones swarmed into Irish airspace, raising fresh questions about Dublin’s defense capabilities.
Barely a week later, Ireland unveiled a €1.7 billion plan to beef up its defenses, including €19 million for counter-drone technology “as soon as possible, not least because of the upcoming European presidency.”
Tom Clonan, an Irish senator, defense analyst and former Irish army captain, warned that budgeted costs could multiply if there are unplanned expenses due to a security incident like a cyberattack.
“We’re manifestly not in a position to secure the environment, we don’t have any meaningful air, or maritime, or cyber defenses — we just don’t have them,” Clonan said. “Basically what’s happening is that Ireland has been caught with its pants down.”
A spokesperson for the Irish police force, An Garda Síochána, said it has been preparing for the presidency since 2024, including by visiting other countries that recently held the presidency, and making a significant investment in counter-drone capability over the past 18 months.