The Irish and British governments have agreed to work more closely to strengthen the resilience of the subsea fibre optic cable network which runs between the two countries.
It is one of a number of agreements that are expected to be formally announced following a meeting between the Taoiseach Micheál Martin, the British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and senior Government ministers on both sides in east Cork later this morning.
After an early visit to University College Cork's Tyndall research institute in Cork city, it will be down to the political business of this visit at Fota House in east Cork later this morning.
The Taoiseach and Mr Starmer have already committed themselves to a closer working relationship on trade, energy and culture but one mindful of wider political events.
It is in relation to maritime security that most progress may be made at today's meeting.
Downing Street has said both Governments have agreed to work more closely to strengthen the resilience of the extensive network of subsea fibre optic cables that run between the UK and Ireland.
According to Downing Street, both countries have also committed to completing a series of joint exercises to rigorously test their responses to a major cable incident.
A UK-Ireland memorandum of understanding on defence has also been given what is being described as a "refresh" which brings it up-to-date with the current security landscape.
The UK government said the new agreement includes a focus on maritime, cyber and joint procurement initiatives so that, amid increasing hostile state activity, the UK and Ireland are enhancing information‑sharing, coordination and planning, to better detect, deter and respond to threats across the Irish Sea and north-east Atlantic.
Mr Starmer will also announce later today investments of more than 900 million euro by 15 Irish companies in the UK.
The investments are expected to lead to the creation of 850 new jobs in the UK.
The investments, many of which are supported by Enterprise Ireland, are in areas such as AI-powered corporate services, renewal energy and telecommunications companies.
Read more: €5m funding for 12 Ireland-UK cultural projects announced
Progress will also be announced on work to complete two new energy interconnectors.
One of these, which will connect Wales and Ireland, will provide enough power for more than half a million homes.
It represents an investment of more than 850 million euro in the two countries.
The second interconnector will be between Northern Ireland and Ireland.
Mr Starmer said the investments would make both the UK and Ireland better off and more secure.
"The UK's close friendship with Ireland is going from strength to strength and I am pleased that we are going further in working together on growth, energy, security and more," Mr Starmer said.
"This new Irish investment coming into the UK is one part of a much bigger picture of our flourishing cultural, commercial and security ties," he said.
"The action this government has taken to reset relationships and deepen partnerships with our closest allies is paying off. It will help us withstand global challenges and protect money in the pockets of families up and down the country."
