Taoiseach Leo Varadkar denies Ireland relies on UK's armed forces for sea protection and highlights Ireland's own navy and agreements with Pesco, NATO Partnership for Peace.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has disputed claims that Ireland relies on the UK's armed forces for the protection of its seas and undersea cables. Speaking at the Munich Security Council 2024, Varadkar clarified that Ireland has its own navy and has entered into agreements with Pesco and NATO's Partnership for Peace to protect the cables around the island. He questioned claims that the Royal Navy or Royal Air Force would intervene in Ireland's territorial waters without permission and emphasized that any intervention would be to protect the UK, not Ireland.

February 17, 2024
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