Ireland Joins with NATO to Safeguard Undersea Infrastructure

Ireland has taken a significant step in bolstering its security and safeguarding critical undersea infrastructure by joining the Individually Tailored Partnership Programme (ITPP) with NATO.

This agreement aims to address emerging threats in areas such as peacekeeping, maritime security, and cybersecurity.

The ITPP facilitates greater information and intelligence sharing between Ireland and NATO. As part of this partnership, Ireland gains access to NATO resources, including sensitive intelligence, to protect its vital undersea infrastructure. 

Main Points

Hybrid Threats and Increased Cooperation: The agreement comes in response to an elevated hybrid threat level due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Ireland recognizes the importance of securing its offshore infrastructure, including subsea cables, gas pipelines, and the Celtic Interconnector—an underwater electricity link connecting Cork and Brittany, with the capacity to power 450,000 homes.

Mutually Agreed Goals: The ITPP was agreed bilaterally between Ireland and NATO based on a set of mutually agreed goals. It builds upon Ireland's existing partnership with NATO, which dates back to 1999 when Ireland joined the Partnership for Peace program.

Replacing the IPCP: The ITPP replaces the previous framework for cooperation known as the Individual Partnership and Cooperation Programme (IPCP). Other neutral European countries, including Austria, Malta, and Switzerland, are also in the process of agreeing to or have already established their respective ITPPs with NATO.

Access to Cyber Defense Resources: As part of the cooperative agreement, Ireland gains access to the Cooperative Cyber Defense Center in Estonia. This resource allows Ireland to observe mock operations related to cybersecurity threats, ensuring preparedness in the face of potential cyber attacks.

Minister of State for Defense, Peter Burke, emphasized that this agreement does not compromise Ireland's neutrality. Ireland remains committed to its non-alignment status and is not seeking full NATO membership. Green Party leader Eamon Ryan echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that Ireland's neutrality serves the country well and that leveraging NATO resources does not imply membership.

What are ITPPs?

 

Individually Tailored Partnership Programmes (ITPPs) are the main tool that NATO uses to coordinate its cooperation with partners. Each ITPP lays out all aspects of NATO’s collaboration with a single partner in a strategic and goal-oriented framework, highlighting the main objectives of each partner’s cooperation with NATO.
Read more about ITPPs & NATO here

References

(1) Ireland in new agreement with Nato to counter potential threats to .... https://www.thejournal.ie/ireland-nato-agreement-cyber-threats-undersea-infrastructure-6295188-Feb2024/.
(2) NATO deal 'does not infringe on Irish neutrality' - Ryan - RTÉ. https://www.rte.ie/news/2024/0209/1431467-nato-ireland/.
(3) Why are subsea cables off Ireland causing continental concerns? - RTÉ. https://www.rte.ie/news/upfront/2023/1110/1415821-why-are-subsea-cables-off-ireland-causing-continental-concerns/
(4) Individually Tailored Partnership Programmes https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_225037.htm#:~:text=The%20ITPP%20covers%20areas%20of,NATO%20and%20each%20individual%20partner.
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