Doherty welcomes European action on protecting infrastructure

The European Commission today launched its new Military Mobility package to speed up cooperation between EU countries and ensure faster responses to emergencies and threats to critical infrastructure. 

Fine Gael MEP Regina Doherty has welcomed the move, saying it is a “timely step” that supports Ireland’s cyber security and undersea cables.

Doherty said the package reinforces the need for stronger protection of the digital systems Ireland depends on. She is already advancing proposals in the European Parliament’s Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) as part of the report “Tackling Barriers in the Single Market for Defence”, putting Ireland’s cyber and infrastructure concerns firmly on the table.

“Ireland’s digital networks and undersea cables are essential to both our economy and Europe’s connectivity. We know that cyber-attacks in Europe are often coordinated by hostile countries such as Russia. By pushing for stronger protections and improved cyber capabilities, I am ensuring Ireland’s needs are clearly understood at EU level,” she said.

“This is not about escalation. It is about safety and preparedness. Europe needs to react quickly when there is a cyber incident or a threat to key infrastructure. This is vital for Ireland as country that depends on undersea cables for our energy and internet connectivity. A strong and well-prepared Europe means a safer Ireland,” she said.

Doherty noted that Ireland has already experienced the impact of cyber-attacks on hospitals and public services. She said that deeper European cooperation is essential to prevent future incidents and to protect the systems that people rely on every day.

“This is responsible and forward looking work. It is about protecting the essentials that keep society functioning and ensuring Europe can act quickly when it matters. Ireland gains directly from a coordinated and secure European approach,” she said.