Ireland's Evolving National Security Strategy — Kenneth McDonagh

30. 9. 2025

This episode of The IR thinker explores Ireland’s historic shift from a long-standing tradition of military neutrality towards a more structured national security strategy, with Dr Kenneth McDonagh. We discuss why a neutral state is now formalising its approach to security, the key domestic and external drivers behind this move, and whether neutrality will remain central or gradually erode. 

The conversation examines Ireland’s defence capabilities and investment choices, the protection of critical infrastructure, coordination between the Defence Forces, Gardaí and intelligence services, Ireland’s deeper integration into EU security structures, its relationship with the United States, cybersecurity posture, UN peacekeeping role, and how developments in Northern Ireland and the lingering threat of terrorism shape the new strategic debate.

Kenneth McDonagh

Kenneth 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, bringing a nuanced understanding of how small European states such as Ireland navigate evolving security architectures at both regional and global levels.

Publications:

Ireland’s Foreign Relations in 2023

Translating the Women, Peace and Security Agenda into EU Common Security and Defence Policy: Reflections from EU Peacebuilding

The Next European Century?

‘Talking the Talk or Walking the Walk’: Understanding the EU ’s Security Identity

Risk, Global Governance and 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