IRELAND’S UNDERSEA CABLES are at risk of cyber attacks, the Minister for Defence and Foreign Affairs has said.

The cables, which carry internet and data, are a “central pillar of Ireland’s national security”.

Speaking at a conference in Kerry, Minister Helen McEntee said that cyber attacks and geopolitical tensions pose risks to the cables.

“These risks are evolving, persistent and demand a coordinated response,” she said.

McEntee explained that undersea cables play a role in communications, financial systems, public services and, increasingly, healthcare.

“Every email sent, every video call made, every financial transaction processed, almost all of it travels through fibre-optic cables on the seabed,” she said.

Russian ships have been spotted anchoring near Ireland’s undersea cables, sparking fears of interference.

A government strategy for maritime security has sought to protect the critical infrastructure and increase international cooperation to safeguard the “rules-based international order at sea”.

“Across government, industry and academia, we are strengthening how we monitor, protect and respond to risks in our maritime domain,” McEntee said.

“I see the private sector as having a key role to play in supporting our maritime security, particularly as owners and operators of much of the critical infrastructure in our maritime domain.”

She said the forthcoming EU presidency will be an opportunity for Ireland to put the security of subsea cables on the bloc’s agenda.

The cables running through Irish waters connect Europe to the US and other parts of the world.