Irish PM rejects claim that China is hostile, defends security handling during Zelenskyy visit

Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin has pushed back against comments by the head of Ireland’s Military Intelligence Service (IMIS) that described China as a “hostile state actor” toward Ireland, stressing instead the need for engagement and economic cooperation with Beijing.

The remarks come ahead of Martin’s planned high-profile trade mission to China in the coming weeks. Last weekend, an IMIS officer was quoted in a Sunday newspaper saying China posed a concern for the Irish military and criticising the education of Chinese nationals at Irish universities.

Speaking to The Journal, Martin said Ireland must make a “conscious effort” to engage with China, particularly to expand exports of Irish-produced goods into Asian markets. He acknowledged that Ireland has a significant economic relationship with China, while noting that there is a need “to rebalance the relationship” within a broader EU-China policy framework.

“I think isolation would be the wrong approach completely,” Martin said, adding that China remains “a significant power” requiring a complex and coordinated policy response involving Ireland and the European Union.

Martin also defended Ireland’s intelligence and security services following questions about their handling of a drone incident during Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s recent visit to Dublin.

Media reports previously said four unidentified drones were detected flying in the direction of Zelenskyy’s aircraft as it landed at Dublin Airport. The drones were also reportedly tracked by the Irish Naval Service vessel LÉ William Butler Yeats, which had been discreetly deployed off the coast of Dublin. Irish law enforcement agencies have since launched an official investigation.

When asked whether the lack of prior intelligence on the drone activity represented a failure by security agencies, Martin rejected that assessment.

“I wouldn’t think so. There was always a potential of this happening, it was a successful security operation,” he said, stressing that the drones did not pose a threat to the president’s plane.

Martin criticised what he described as excessive public speculation around security issues, saying there is a tendency to portray Ireland as “a sort of a basket case.” He defended the performance of the country’s intelligence services, noting their strong international cooperation and operational effectiveness.

By Sabina Mammadli