Writing in the Defence Forces’ Review 2024, Lt Buwalda said the problems of the Naval Service — primarily underinvestment and staff shortages — were “undermining” Ireland’s ability to protect seas under its jurisdiction.

This “maritime domain” consists of not only its territorial waters (12 nautical miles from the coast) and its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) (up to 200 nautical miles), but also its claimed extended continental shelf (out to 350 nautical miles).

Lt Buwalda said these seas pose “complex governance and security challenges” and that despite the Naval Service having professional and committed members, it had “limited” capabilities compared to similar-sized countries such as Denmark, Finland, New Zealand and Singapore.

He pointed out that the EEZ covers an area more than six times the size of Ireland and that this area was “critical” for our prosperity.

As well as almost all of our trade being by sea, around two-thirds of all transatlantic cables pass over Irish claimed seabed and 80% of our primary energy requirements comes to Ireland by sea.

“Ireland’s maritime domain remains vulnerable due to several factors: lack of a national and maritime security strategy, limited MDA [maritime domain awareness], fragmented governance across multiple agencies and successive government inaction,” Lt Buwalda said.

These vulnerabilities are particularly concerning given Ireland’s geographic and cultural position between the US and the European Union and its responsibilities in safeguarding a sizeable portion of the EU’s western approaches.

His paper, 'The Perfect Storm of Rising Tides and Rising Threats', is one of 13 pieces of research published in the 2024 edition of the Defence Forces Review, which is devoted to climate change and security.

The review was published in conjunction with University College Cork and its editorial team comprised Professor Andrew Cottey of UCC and Commandant Gavin Egerton and Lieutenant Commander Stuart Armstrong from the Defence Forces. The 170-page report is being launched today by Chief of Staff Seán Clancy at UCC.

Lt Buwalda said climate change was intensifying existing maritime security challenges and creating new ones.

 Increased frequency and intensity of storms pose risks to maritime infrastructure, shipping, and offshore energy installations. Sea level rise threatens coastal communities and critical infrastructure, altering maritime boundaries and jurisdictions.

He criticised the “slow pace” in the implementation of Government’s response to the Commission on the Defence Forces recommendations, adding this indicated “a lack of urgency”.

In a related paper, PhD candidate at the school of history in UCC Cian Lynch said “significant changes” need to be made to the composition of the Naval Service Diving Section (NSDS), as well as its equipment, to ensure it is prepared for the effects of climate change.

Mr Lynch details the breadth of work the NSDS carries out for the State, from search and recovery including of missing people at sea and drug shipments, as well as underwater surveys, explosive ordnance disposal, and underwater engineering.

He said that as the only body capable of “deep sea diving”, the NSDS is likely to a have an important role in monitoring subsea digital cables and power pipelines.

The increasing frequency, severity, and unpredictability of storms on the North Atlantic storm track are likely to be of particular concern within Irish waters due to the devastation that these storms can have on coastal communities and industries. 

"Of particular concern with regard to these storms is the inherent danger that they present to those operating in the maritime domain.” 

A paper by PhD student at UCD’s school of information and communication studies Zuar Gouliev said disinformation about climate change is often used by hostile states, who can often be large energy exporters.

He said Russia uses disinformation tactics as part of hybrid warfare strategies targeting Europe.

In Ireland, he said the Defence Forces, along with the gardaí and the Environmental Protection Unit, could contribute to efforts to counter foreign information manipulation and interference, known as FIMI.

Mr Gouliev said climate disinformation “poses a severe threat to global security and international climate policy” by seeking to erode trust in scientific consensus and delay essential action. He called for military, government, civil society and private sector to fight it.