Who Is Responsible: Ireland's National Security Decision-Making System

In this episode, I sit down with Dr Ken McDonagh to examine the state of national security in Ireland.Despite work beginning in 2019, Ireland still has no published National Security Strategy. What does that delay say about how seriously the State treats security in a rapidly changing world?We explore how national security is understood across government and the public, and whether it remains too narrowly focused on policing and crime. Professor McDonagh outlines what the missing strategy was meant to deliver, why it matters, and how Ireland compares to similar countries.We also discuss who is actually responsible for national security, how decisions are made at the highest level, and whether the current system is coherent.Finally, we assess where Ireland stands today—highlighting key gaps in capability, coordination, and political focus—and what needs to change in the years ahead.If you enjoyed the episode, make sure to follow and share the podcast.