Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence Helen McEntee has said it is time to have an honest conversation about how Ireland protects its security and infrastructure in a changing global security landscape.
She was speaking in Germany where she is attending the Munich Security Conference.
"Now is the time to have open honest conversations about security, about how we protect our people, how we protect our infrastructure and our shared values," she said.
"Ireland is militarily neutral but neutrality doesn't mean standing still. It doesn't mean standing apart from others," she added.
Ms McEntee said Ireland is strengthening its preparedness at home while also working closely with the EU and international partners particularly as this country prepares to take on the presidency of the European Union later this year.
She said it is timely to be at the Munich Security Conference given the level of global uncertainty at the moment.
Ms McEntee will be meeting with her counterparts from Europe, and officials from the US, Ukraine and the Middle East to discuss the changing security landscape.
"I believe people want these conversations to happen, they want reassurance that their security, their infrastructure, their future, that it's been taken seriously," she said.
"I am absolutely committed to responding that I'll be reaffirming Ireland's strong support for Ukraine and the need for a just and lasting peace.
"I'll also be discussing the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the importance of progress towards a two state solution, security from cyber threats to protect critical infrastructure," Ms McEntee added.
