Dublin welcomed a new submarine telecommunications cable linking Ireland to Iceland after the project was finalized on Friday (November 11).

The project is part of a wider Dublin strategy to make Ireland “”Gateway to EuropeIn cables, acting as a link between Europe and North America.

The cable runs directly from Galway on Ireland’s west coast to Thorlakshof in southern Iceland, and will connect Ireland to northern Europe via other submarine links between Iceland and Denmark.

«Today marks the first day a submarine cable will be laid in Ireland that is not connected to the UK or North America.Minister of State for Communications and Circular Economy Osian Smith said.

«This marked the beginning of the Irish strategy of direct contact with northern and southern Europe. Ireland is now ready to welcome other submarine cables.»

Two similar projects are already planned, one linking Ireland with Japan via the Northwest Passage and the other with Portugal, according to Environment and Communications Minister Eamonn Ryan.The beginning of a new connectivity across the eastern Atlantic».

The Irish government said the Ireland-Iceland cable, operated by the Icelandic state-owned company Faris, is intended to improve international and domestic connectivity, helping to increase the capacity needed to meet growing demand for digital and data services.

The cable will provide digital connectivity to Irish businesses, in particular, Mr Ryan said.Part of the new industrial revolution – a revolution that combines high-quality digital infrastructure with renewable technology, infrastructure and capabilities».

The new connection also has a security aspect, with the government stressing that adding additional links will reduce the risk of simultaneous outages.

Following the attack on the Nord Stream gas pipeline in September, strengthening the resilience of submarine cables has been a priority at EU level in recent months.

Last month, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen underlined the importance of protecting undersea data cables by proposing a five-point plan to strengthen critical infrastructure.