From Territorial Waters to the Mediterranean Sea: The Role of the Irish Naval Service in the European Union’s Humanitarian Operations, 2015–2018

This article discusses the Irish participation in two humanitarian maritime security operations in the Mediterranean Sea between 2015 and 2018. The bilateral Operation Pontus (2015–17) and the European Union’s Operation Sophia (2017–18) were, respectively, the first time a Naval Service’s ship and its crew were part of a mission and a maritime security operation in the Central Mediterranean Sea. The research examines how these operations were perceived and managed within Ireland, the challenges faced by the Naval Service, and the broader implications for Ireland’s defence policy and its position within the EU. The article follows a field research methodology, including eight semi-structured elite interviews. These interviews will be paired with extensive historical and strategic research, drawing on parliamentary papers, policy documents, and email correspondence with decision-makers and politicians. The findings of this article suggest that Operation Pontus could be regarded as a positive initiative for achieving its humanitarian objectives and for enhancing the Naval Service’s reputation and morale, while the eventual success of the Irish participation in Operation Sophia is harder to determine, given its limited humanitarian focus and negative implications for military personnel.