The Naval Service is to get new powers to safeguard Irish sovereignty and new bases on the east and west coasts are under active consideration.
Legislation that will give the Naval Service broad powers to safeguard and protect the sovereignty of the State is being prepared as a priority by the Government.
RTÉ News understands that heads of the bill have been drawn up and it will be enacted by the summer recess and before the commencement of Ireland's presidency of the European Union.
Establishing new naval bases on the east and west coast is also under active consideration.
As the EU presidency approaches and the debate around Irelands security and defence intensifies, the bill to enhance the powers of the Naval Service is to be rushed through the Dáil before the summer recess.
The bill, which is already in preparation and will have to be signed off by Government, will specifically empower the service to safeguard and protect Ireland's sovereignty rights in Irish territorial waters and the 420,000sq/km Exclusive Economic Zone that stretches far out into the Atlantic.
It will bring certainty for the Naval Service when it comes to boarding vessels and confiscations.
Currently most of the legislation under which the Naval Service operates relates primarily to fishing, drug interdiction and assistance to An Garda Síochána.
In relation to the establishment of two new naval operating bases, the Department of Defence is considering one on the east coast near Dublin and another on the west coast, possibly in the northwest.
The location of the new bases will allow for naval assets to be located closer to areas of operation. It will also give the service, which is currently headquartered in Cork, access to a greater pool of potential recruits.
Tomorrow the Government will publish a five-year National Maritime Strategy aimed at protecting Ireland maritime interests and enhancing national security and defence.
The strategy will also strengthen protections around undersea cables and energy connections in Ireland's waters.
It is advocating that cooperation with neighbouring states and international partners is stepped up in the area.
This includes the UK and France and there would be continued engagement too with the EU and NATO.
Closer links with the private companies that own much of Ireland's offshore infrastructure would also be a priority.
