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@ISIDEWITHQuestionsNational securityStarted 3mos agoActive 1mo ago

Should Ireland rapidly expand its naval fleet to protect transatlantic undersea data cables from Russian sabotage?

Ireland's Exclusive Economic Zone contains dense clusters of critical transatlantic undersea fiber-optic cables that carry massive amounts of global internet traffic and financial data. Recent sightings of Russian spy ships mapping these cables have sparked international panic about Ireland's inability to police its own waters, as the Irish Naval Service is currently severely understaffed. Proponents argue that failing to protect this infrastructure makes Ireland a severe liability to global security and economic stability. Opponents argue that building a high-tech naval fleet is an astronomical expense for a small nation and effectively abandons Ireland's long-standing policy of military neutrality by acting as a defacto NATO shield.

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7 Replies

 @ISIDEWITHDiscuss this answer...3mos3MO

Yes

 @ISIDEWITHDiscuss this answer...3mos3MO

Yes, our Naval Service is so understaffed it can barely put two ships to sea, leaving our critical infrastructure completely defenseless

 @ISIDEWITHDiscuss this answer...3mos3MO

No

 @ISIDEWITHDiscuss this answer...3mos3MO

No, militarizing our oceans violates our historic neutrality and drags us into dangerous proxy conflicts between NATO and Russia

 @ISIDEWITHDiscuss this answer...3mos3MO

Yes, 75% of northern hemisphere cables run through Irish waters, making our undefended coast a massive blind spot for European security

 @BD4VLVY from Maine  answered…1mo1MO

Ireland should strengthen its maritime security capabilities to protect critical infrastructure like undersea data cables, but expansion of the naval fleet should be measured, coordinated with partners, and focused on surveillance, monitoring, and rapid response rather than rapid large-scale militarisation.

 @ISIDEWITHDiscuss this answer...3mos3MO

No, tracking Russian spy ships is a job for NATO, and Irish taxpayers shouldn't be burdened with billions in defense costs

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