WE CAN’T KEEP our heads in the sand any longer. While we debate, Russia probes. While we reassure ourselves, Russia tests our weaknesses. Unless Europe, including Ireland, takes a clear and united stand, these actions will continue with impunity.

This month in Strasbourg, defence readiness dominated the agenda of the European Parliament. At the same time, MEPs moved to progress the phasing out of Russian gas, recognising that energy dependence is itself a major security risk.

These discussions are not abstract or theoretical.

They are a direct response to the reality that Europe is already operating in a grey zone between peace and conflict.

Against that backdrop, this month’s news of unidentified military drones entering Irish airspace around the time of the arrival of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was a stark reminder of how the nature of defence and security has changed.

While the drones ultimately posed no threat to President Zelenskyy’s plane, the fact that they entered Irish airspace over Dublin Bay at such a sensitive moment, and were not clearly identifiable, should cause real unease. The Taoiseach and others have since pointed the finger towards Russia, a state with a clear interest in disruption, intimidation and signalling.

This is not an isolated incident. Suspected Russian drone activity has already forced the temporary closure of major airports in Brussels, Berlin and Copenhagen. In September, around 20 Russian drones overshot Ukraine and entered Polish airspace, shutting down four airports. Across Europe, undersea cables have been damaged, cyberattacks have increased, rail infrastructure has been targeted, and migration has been weaponised. This is what modern warfare looks like.

With Ireland just months away from assuming the Presidency of the Council of the European Union and hosting a major European Political Community summit, the urgency of our own security shortcomings becomes impossible to ignore.

Irish people are rightly proud of our military neutrality and our long tradition of peacekeeping. But neutrality does not mean neglect. By choosing not to be part of military alliances, we have an even greater responsibility to take our own defence seriously. If we value neutrality, we should want to defend it.

Ireland has one of the largest maritime areas in Europe. We host vital undersea cables connecting the EU to the global digital economy. Our public services and multinationals are exposed to cyber threats, as the HSE attack in 2021 demonstrated. Yet our skies are effectively protected by the Royal Air Force, our naval capacity is limited, and our radar coverage remains inadequate.

Despite all this, Ireland consistently spends the least on defence in Europe.

That is why the Government’s recent commitment to invest €1.7bn in defence is welcome, including funding for counter-drone technology and measures to protect undersea infrastructure. But announcements are not enough. We have heard about a national radar system before, yet no model has been chosen and no site selected. We are still waiting for an updated national security strategy. No tender has been issued for a long overdue multi-role vessel.

Meanwhile, our EU partners are moving ahead. This month in Strasbourg, the focus was on joint procurement, reducing inefficiencies, and ensuring Europe is no longer dependent on external actors for energy, defence equipment or basic security. A sensible place to start for Ireland would be with low hanging fruit, such as joining the European Air Transport Command and contributing transport or refuelling capacity, which would be a concrete and achievable show of solidarity without compromising military neutrality.

The European Commission has already announced plans for a European drone wall and increased funding for defence production. Companies elsewhere on the island, such as Thales in Belfast, are already benefiting.

Without a clear Irish strategy, we risk being left behind and missing out on funding, training, jobs and industrial opportunities.

If the European Union proceeds with further joint borrowing to fund defence infrastructure, Ireland cannot afford to sit it out. To do so would be negligent. These investments could allow us to modernise our defences for the first time in decades, while creating skilled employment at home.

Ireland can no longer assume that conflict in Europe does not affect us. In 2026, we will be in a leadership role within the European Union. We cannot continue to be the weak link in Europe’s defence architecture. This is not about provoking war or abandoning neutrality. It is about deterrence, preparedness and ensuring that more serious conflict is avoided.

Peace does not simply happen. It has to be defended.

We need to set clear targets, move from plans to delivery, and work with Irish companies to build genuine capability. We can no longer afford complacency. Ireland is a proud, independent and sovereign nation. That is something worth defending.

Regina Doherty is a Fine Gael MEP for Dublin and former minister.