Tánaiste approves Defence Forces participation in EU maritime information-sharing initiative

• Naval Service Participation in Information-Sharing System will allow for better monitoring and surveillance of potential maritime threats

14th April 2025

The Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Simon Harris TD, today (14 April) approved the Defence Forces’ participation in the Common Information Sharing Environment (CISE), an EU initiative which enables structured and secure information-sharing among EU maritime authorities, both civil and military, allowing for more effective operations at sea amid new and evolving maritime threats.

CISE plays a crucial role in increasing awareness of maritime activities and improving responses to growing threats at sea, including physical and cyber-attacks on critical infrastructure, drug trafficking and other illegal activities.

Speaking after his approval of the Defence Force’s participation in this initiative, the Tánaiste said: “I am confident that there are considerable benefits from participation in this important initiative, which is a key enabler for our Maritime Security Strategy, helping to safeguard our maritime domain, boost our resilience and helping us to contribute with partners at an EU level.”

The Tánaiste added: “Improved maritime domain awareness will be a key element of our Maritime Security Strategy, on which work is progressing by the recently establishment Maritime Security Unit in my Department.

CISE will support inter-agency cooperation, nationally and internationally. By providing a common environment for information exchange, it allows for better coordination, faster decision-making, and improved overall efficiency in handling maritime-related issues”.

The next steps will include the Department of Defence formally advising the European Commission that the Defence Forces will join CISE and the technical work required will be commenced by the Naval Service.

ENDS

Note to Editors

• The 2024 Defence Policy Review and the 2025 Programme for Government both highlighted that improving surveillance of the maritime domain is a national defence policy priority. Work on the development of the new Maritime Security Strategy is underway. Improving maritime domain awareness and protecting critical maritime infrastructure are likely to be key strategic objectives of this strategy;
• The Naval Service Operations Centre monitors maritime activity in Ireland's Area of Interest and, under the aegis of the European Defence Agency’s Maritime Surveillance (MARSUR) project, the Naval Operations Centre also has the ability to request or pass information to other participating European Navies. Participation in CISE will improve information flows into the Centre both in terms of its timeliness and format;
• The European Commission has led on the development of CISE over the past 15 years and it became fully operational in Quarter 4, 2024. Institutions join CISE, not countries, and these institutions can be civil as well as military. While the Defence Forces are joining it now, other maritime agencies in Ireland may also join CISE in the future;
• The military and civilian authorities involved have provided very positive assessments of their experience of using CISE and have highlighted the added value it brings to understanding what is happening in the maritime space during complex maritime operational scenarios;
• CISE is a voluntary collaborative process in the EU seeking to further enhance and promote relevant information exchange based on a spirit of cooperation and is not enforced by legislation. It brings added value and complementarity to the existing and future maritime data systems, services and sharing processes;
• CISE does not have a central storage of information. Instead, the authority (in Ireland’s case, the Defence Forces) sharing the information maintains full control of it and decides who accesses it;
• CISE makes information-sharing easier and quicker by connecting maritime organisations involved in maritime surveillance, whether civil or military, who are also part of the network. Such organisations may also include coast guards, border agencies and law enforcement agencies, to improve safety, security, and environmental protection. It allows for the exchange of relevant information across borders and different sectors in a seamless and automated way. The system facilitates collaboration among various stakeholders, ensuring timely and accurate data sharing, which is crucial for preventing illegal activities, managing maritime traffic, and responding to emergencies at sea;
• The CISE Stakeholders Group, which includes experts from EU countries governs CISE. Other members include the European Commission, the European External Action Service (EEAS), the European Defence Agency (EDA), the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA), European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA), the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), and the European Union Satellite Centre (SatCen);

Joining CISE will support the building of a comprehensive recognised maritime picture by ensuring the Defence Forces have a platform to share information with other EU maritime organisations that are a part of the CISE network. Participation in CISE will also ensure that the Defence Forces are well placed to link into future initiatives being developed at the European level with respect to maritime data systems, services and sharing processes.