J2 is the national intelligence service of the Irish Armed Forces operating domestically and internationally.
Law enforcement in Ireland
The Republic of Ireland has one national civilian police force, called “An Garda Síochána”, meaning 'Guardians of the Peace of Ireland'. It has 14,500 staff members and provides both local and national law enforcement services. It is commonly referred to as “Garda”.
In Ireland, national security is primarily the responsibility of the Garda Síochána (national police service), while the Defence Forces are responsible for intelligence.
The Defence Forces (Irish: Fórsaí Cosanta, officially styled Óglaigh na hÉireann) are the armed forces of the Republic of Ireland. They encompass the Army, Air Corps, Naval Service, and Reserve Defence Forces.
The Secret Intelligence Service, often known as MI6, collects Britain's foreign intelligence. It provides the government with a global covert capability to promote and defend the national security and economic well-being of the country.
During the first world war British Intelligence created the Military Intelligence Section 7 (or MI7 for short) that was responsible for collecting data from foreign sources, translating it, and transmitting it back to the allied leadership.
MI5 - Domestic intelligence, MI6 - foreign intelligence. Interestingly, that makes James Bond a member of MI6.
As Ireland is not a member of NATO it does not benefit from integrated European military radar detection systems nor NATO-level equipment.
For 2022, Ireland is ranked 97 of 142 out of the countries considered for the annual GFP review. It holds a PwrIndx* score of 2.3147 (a score of 0.0000 is considered 'perfect'). This entry last updated on 04/26/2022.
Ireland currently has no combat jet aircraft and would purchase between 12 and 24 jets under the most far-reaching proposals. It would also obtain long-range transport aircraft.
Today, MI5 has lowered the threat level to Northern Ireland from Northern Ireland Related Terrorism (NIRT) from 'SEVERE' to 'SUBSTANTIAL'.
G2 or G-2 is the national intelligence agency of Republic of Ireland. It is the military intelligence branch of the Irish Defence Forces, and also helps protect Ireland's national security. G2 is used in several western and NATO forces to refer to the Intelligence and Security branch of the staff function.
The Garda Síochána (also commonly referred to as the Gardaí) is the national police force. The name Garda Síochána in English means 'guardians of the peace'. The Garda Síochána has responsibility for carrying out all policing duties in the Irish State.
Armed Gardaí
The Gardaí is primarily an unarmed force; however, detectives and certain units such as the regional Armed Support Units (ASU) and the national Emergency Response Unit (ERU) are commissioned to carry firearms and do so.
Germany's invasion plans for Britain were codenamed 'Operation Sealion'. Their invasion plans for Ireland were codenamed 'Unternehmen Grun' or 'Operation Green'. Like Operation Sealion, Operation Green was never executed. The Nazis failed to achieve air superiority over the English Channel that summer.
Many believe that the UK is protecting Irish airspace or that British jets patrol Irish skies. That's not true, the UK is not responsible for Irish air defence. In short and simple terms, the UK is protecting its own airspace and Ireland benefits from that.
Due to the ancestral ties between the two countries, Ireland and the US have a strong relationship, both politically and economically, with the US being Ireland's biggest trading partner since 2000.
As the current Presidency, Ireland has worked on the Ukraine Action Plan to assist rebuilding work in Ukraine. Ireland has also made a €1 million contribution to a specially established Ukraine Donor Fund in the Council of Europe's Development Bank.
Is Ireland safe? Ireland is generally a safe place to visit and live. The 2020 Global Peace Index ranks it as the 12th safest country in the world. While we trail behind countries like Denmark, Canada and Japan, we're streets ahead of our nearest European neighbours.
So yes, Her Majesty does indeed have a Secret Service. And the Secret Service does have "agents" - but these people don't have a desk at the Vauxhall Cross HQ or in any other government building.
Despite a reliance on UKSF for special operations, SIS operatives still receive training in the use of firearms, including pistols and submachine guns. It would be rare, however, for an SIS Intelligence Officer to fire or even carry a firearm in the line of duty.
Section 1 of the Official Secrets Act 1989 prohibits our current and former staff from making unauthorised disclosures of information concerning security or intelligence that they acquired while working for MI5. We can only pass on information as is necessary for purposes of protecting national security.