WE CAN’T KEEP our heads in the sand any longer. While we debate, Russia probes. While we reassure ourselves, Russia tests our weaknesses. Unless Europe, including Ireland, takes a clear and united stand, these actions will continue with impunity.

This month in Strasbourg, defence readiness dominated the agenda of the European Parliament. At the same time, MEPs moved to progress the phasing out of Russian gas, recognising that energy dependence is itself a major security risk.

These discussions are not abstract or theoretical.

Against that backdrop, this month’s news of unidentified military drones entering Irish airspace around the time of the arrival of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was a stark reminder of how the nature of defence and security has changed.

While the drones ultimately posed no threat to President Zelenskyy’s plane, the fact that they entered Irish airspace over Dublin Bay at such a sensitive moment, and were not clearly identifiable, should cause real unease. The Taoiseach and others have since pointed the finger towards Russia, a state with a clear interest in disruption, intimidation and signalling.

This is not an isolated incident. Suspected Russian drone activity has already forced the temporary closure of major airports in Brussels, Berlin and Copenhagen. In September, around 20 Russian drones overshot Ukraine and entered Polish airspace,........

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