Ireland is in the midst of a historic shift, moving from its long-standing tradition of neutrality towards a more structured national security strategy. In this interview, Dr. Kenneth McDonagh unpacks the drivers, dilemmas, and implications of Ireland’s evolving security posture at home, in Europe, and on the global stage.

Kenneth McDonagh

Ken McDonagh is Associate Professor of International Relations at the School of Law and Government, Dublin City University. His research focuses on EU foreign policy, the Common Security and Defence Policy, and the intersections of gender and international security.

Content

00:00 – Introduction

01:53 – Reinterpreting Ireland’s Policy of Military Neutrality

05:43 – Why Develop a National Security Strategy in a Neutral Country?

08:14 – Key Drivers Behind Ireland’s Security Strategy

10:23 – Will Military Neutrality Remain Central?

11:58 – Is This a Step Towards NATO Membership?

14:07 – Understanding the Capacity of Ireland’s Defence Forces

19:00 – Is There Willingness to Invest in the Army?

21:12 – Private Initiatives for Defence Development

23:34 – Protecting Critical Infrastructure: Cables, Energy, Ports, Airports

26:18 – Coordination of Defence, Gardaí, and Intelligence Without a Strategy

28:11 – Ireland’s Integration into EU Security Structures

31:37 – Could EU Forces Be Deployed on Irish Soil?

33:38 – Is Ireland Viewed as a Strategic Territory by the EU?

36:10 – US–Ireland Relations on Security

39:25 – Expanding Security Cooperation with the US

41:29 – Ireland’s Cybersecurity Posture

45:17 – Presenting the Cyber Sector as a Deterrent

48:02 – Ireland’s Role in UN Peacekeeping and Security

54:05 – Northern Ireland and the New Security Strategy

59:01 – Terrorism in Northern Ireland and Its Security Impact

01:02:17 – Under-researched Areas in Ireland’s National Security

Official Website:

https://irthinker.com/

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