Military neutrality is a defining feature of Ireland’s foreign policy. Established in the early years of the State, its original purpose was to protect the new country from major global conflicts and assert independence from Britain.
Today, the Irish Constitution prevents Ireland from joining a European army or mutual defence pact, and neutrality is maintained as a long-standing policy supported by legislation. Ireland balances this position with its responsibility as an EU Member State to be a trusted security partner and responsible neighbour.
Ireland’s proud record of participation in UN and EU peacekeeping missions is consistent with both its neutrality and its international obligations, and it aligns with the EU’s founding principles of peace, stability and security.
However, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has brought military conflict to the EU’s doorstep, jeopardising the international laws and agreements that underpin global security. Europe also faces other complex threats from multiple sources, including cyberattacks, terrorism, disinformation, and energy supply disruptions.
Defence remains the responsibility of individual EU Member States, but the EU acts together to address emerging security challenges. No country can tackle today’s complex security challenges alone, and Ireland’s neutrality does not make it immune to hostile actions.
Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP)
The CSDP is the EU’s framework for civilian and military missions that support peace, crisis management and international security.
EU cooperation on security began with the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) that was established under the Maastricht Treaty in 1993. Development of the policy was driven by the violent breakup of Yugoslavia, which exposed Europe’s limited ability to respond to crises in the Balkans.
Weaknesses in the CFSP led to the launch of the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) in 1999, adding civilian and military capabilities for crisis management. Ireland has been an active participant since its inception.
In 2003, the European Security Strategy set out the main threats and goals shared by member states. The Lisbon Treaty in 2009 renamed the ESDP as CSDP, created the European External Action Service (EEAS) as the EU’s diplomatic service, and paved the way for deeper voluntary defence cooperation through Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO).
CSDP operations and projects are supported through a range of EU funding instruments, such as:
- European Defence Fund (EDF): Funds collaborative defence research and development.
- NDICI–Global Europe: Supports civilian CSDP missions, conflict prevention and rapid crisis response.
- SAFE Loan Facility (Security Action for Europe): Approved in 2025, this facility can raise up to €150 billion in long-term loans for rapid defence investment.
The European Defence Agency (EDA) supports the CSDP’s goals by helping Member States develop defence capabilities through joint research, innovation, and projects. Ireland works closely with the EDA to enhance training, technology, and information sharing for the Irish Defence Forces.
The CSDP is also supported by the European Union Satellite Centre (SatCen). Established as an EU agency in 2002, SatCen uses satellite imagery and other data sources to assist in crisis management, border security, and surveillance operations.
Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP)
European External Action Service (EEAS)
Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO)
The European Defence Agency (EDA)
Ireland and the CSDP
Ireland’s military neutrality is protected by legally binding guarantees in a Protocol attached to the Lisbon Treaty. These assurances were given after Irish voters initially rejected the Treaty in a 2008 referendum, fearing it might undermine neutrality. The guarantees ensured the Treaty would respect Ireland’s neutrality and sovereignty in defence, leading to its approval in a second referendum in 2009.
While the Protocol protects Irish neutrality it doesn’t prevent Irish participation in EU or UN peacekeeping, crisis management or conflict prevention operations. Ireland decides to participate on missions on a case-by-case basis through a mechanism called the ‘Triple Lock’. For Ireland to deploy more than 12 troops overseas, these three conditions must be met:
- A United Nations mandate for the mission.
- Approval by the Irish Government.
- Approval by the Irish Parliament (Dáil Éireann).
The Irish Government has proposed reforms to the Triple Lock, removing the requirement for a UN mandate and increasing the threshold for overseas troop deployments from 12 to 50. The Government argues that the UN Security Council veto held by permanent members such as Russia and China can unduly restrict Ireland’s ability to take part in peacekeeping operations. These proposals have sparked significant political debate and have not yet been implemented.
Ireland’s military neutrality is respected by other Member States, and it plays an active role in European security and defence. Examples of Irish support include:
- European Peace Facility (EPF): Mainly non-lethal support such as medical supplies, vehicles and protective equipment. By early 2025, Ireland had committed about €350 million in EPF funding, largely for support to Ukraine.
- Participation in PESCO projects: Ireland participates on a strict opt-in basis and has joined specific projects that match national priorities, such as maritime surveillance, cyber threats, and critical seabed infrastructure protection.
- Engagement in the Common Information Sharing Environment (CISE): An EU initiative that improves information-sharing among maritime authorities.
- Involvement in the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative: A new mechanism encouraging Member States to jointly invest in and procure defence equipment.
- Membership of the European Defence Agency (EDA): Ireland contributes financially and participates in capability development projects through the EDA, supporting research and standards for crisis management.
- Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD): Ireland takes part in this EU-wide process to share defence planning and capability development information.
Ireland has the lowest level of defence expenditure in the EU. Defence spending in 2023 was 0.2% of GDP (€1.29 billion), compared with an EU average of 1.3%. The 2022 Commission on the Defence Forces Report identified major capability gaps, particularly in air defence, cybersecurity and maritime surveillance. Budget 2026 allocated a record €1.5 billion to Defence, an 11% increase on the previous year.
Common Security and Defence Policy in Ireland
Ireland and EU external policies
The future of security and defence
Modern warfare extends beyond traditional weapons like missiles and bombs. Today, hostile forces also use cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, and election interference to disrupt nations and influence the outcome of conflicts.
Ireland experienced these threats first-hand with a crippling ransomware attack on the HSE in 2021, and a surge in conspiracy-driven disinformation prompted the development of Ireland’s National Counter Disinformation Strategy in 2025.
EU assessments have also warned of foreign disinformation campaigns and hybrid threats targeting Ireland’s critical infrastructure and democratic processes.
In response, the European Union is taking stronger steps to improve its security and defence with key initiatives including:
- ReArm Europe Plan: Also known as Readiness 2030, this ambitious strategy aims to unlock over €800 billion in defence investments. This is supported by €150 billion from the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) loan facility.
- Defence Readiness Roadmap 2030: A complementary plan that sets clear milestones to achieve full-spectrum defence readiness by 2030.
- Military Mobility Package: A project to remove the logistical and regulatory barriers that currently slow down the movement of military equipment across Europe.
The Readiness Roadmap proposes four flagship projects targeting critical capability gaps in EU defence.
- European Drone Defence Initiative: Developing advanced systems to detect and stop hostile drones.
- Eastern Flank Watch: Strengthening surveillance and military presence along the EU’s eastern borders facing Russia.
- European Air Shield: Building an integrated air defence system to protect European skies from missiles.
- European Space Shield: Using satellites to monitor threats from space, including missile launches and cyberattacks on satellites.
The European Cybersecurity Competence Centre (ECCC) based in Bucharest also plays a crucial role in strengthening the EU’s defence capabilities against modern threats. It coordinates funding for cybersecurity research and innovation, and supports national centres including Ireland’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC).
Ireland is committed to strengthening its own Defence Forces capabilities for the future. The Irish 2024 Defence Policy Review set out a number of key priorities for the period up to 2028. These include:
- Maritime Security: Protecting Ireland's extensive maritime territory, subsea cables and offshore energy infrastructure. A National Maritime Security Strategy is in preparation.
- Monitoring and Surveillance: Plans to create an integrated system covering air, land, and sea.
- Command Reform: Major changes to the Defence Forces’ command structure to improve decision-making.
- Increased Defence Funding: Sustained investment to modernise the Defence Forces and reinforce Ireland’s role as a reliable security partner.
Q&A: ReArm Europe Plan - Readiness 2030
Ireland’s Defence Policy Review 2024
Ireland’s contribution to peacekeeping
Ireland’s commitment to European and global peace and security is evidenced through its participation in both military and civilian security and defence initiatives. Here are some key examples of current missions:
- UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL): Ireland's largest overseas mission, with around 350 personnel serving in the 127th Infantry Battalion in southern Lebanon.
- EU Military Assistance Mission Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine): Providing specialist training for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, including demining and combat-medical skills.
- Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED Irini): Supporting the enforcement of the UN arms embargo on Libya. Irish Naval Service personnel and vessels rotate into the mission.
- EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX): Supplying Gardai and civilian experts to support police and judicial reforms.
- EU Border Assistance Mission in Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM): Irish experts contributed to border-management and customs capacity until the mission concluded in November 2025.
- EU Training Mission Somalia (EUTM Somalia): Advising and mentoring the Somali National Army as part of long-term EU efforts to strengthen local security institutions.
Ireland also has one of the world’s longest continuous records of UN peacekeeping, beginning in 1958. Irish personnel have served in missions such as MONUSCO (DRC), UNFICYP (Cyprus) and UNDOF (Syria) and have a strong reputation for professionalism and impartiality.
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