Ireland is considering joining a new EU intelligence structure being established in contrast to the Five Eyes international intelligence network led by the United States. According to the Ministry of Justice, the government is exploring the proposal following a report from the European Commission published this week. This move could represent a significant change for Ireland's national security approaches and expand its capabilities in intelligence and counterintelligence, as reported by Gript.
The EU plans to create a European intelligence agency akin to the CIA, which will serve as a coordination center for EU member states in combating external threats, including those posed by Russia and China. In his report, former Finnish President Sauli Niinistö emphasized the importance of strengthening joint counterintelligence efforts at the EU level, especially in light of the increasing number of espionage scandals involving agents from China, Russia, and Morocco that have been uncovered in the European Parliament over the past year and a half.
If Ireland joins the new intelligence system, it will receive recommendations from the EU on countering foreign agents and protecting critical infrastructure from potential sabotage.
Currently, Ireland's national intelligence is concentrated in special units of the police and defense forces, which are responsible for addressing internal and external threats. At the EU level, intelligence activities are limited to the framework of the European External Action Service (EEAS), which has only limited powers.
Ireland is already involved in intelligence sharing with the EU under the Prüm Convention aimed at combating cross-border crime and also has an agreement with NATO regarding monitoring the country's maritime territory.
