Ireland is increasing cooperation with NATO as part of a major new partnership programme.

The Individually Tailored Partnership Programme (ITPP) allows states to agree bilateral, mutually agreed goals with the military organisation.

The Department of Defence has said the changes will see Ireland "enhance our engagement" in areas of cooperation of clear interest to Ireland – such as peacekeeping, maritime security and tackling cyber and hybrid threats.

A NATO flag flies surrounded by flags of member states at the headquarters of the military alliance in Brussels. Belgium. Picture via @NATOpress on Twitter

"The Government has no plans to join NATO and this does not affect Ireland's policy of military neutrality," the Department said.

"The ITPP is a framework for cooperation between partners and NATO, it is Partner led and completely voluntary in nature."

Ireland's relationship with NATO dates back to 1997, when Ireland deployed personnel in support of the NATO-led peacekeeping operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In 1999 Ireland joined NATOs Partnership for Peace (PfP), which has now been replaced by the ITPP.

Other neutral European NATO partners - including Austria, Malta and Switzerland - are also in the process of agreeing or have already agreed ITPPs.

A NATO flag in Rukla, Lithuania, 7-2-17. Image: dpa picture alliance / Alamy

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has previously said Ireland would not be joining any military alliance.

He told the Dáil that Ireland would continue to contribute to UN peacekeeping missions and work with the EU on security questions.

However he said there were no proposals to join any military alliance.

Finland was admitted to NATO following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and Sweden has also applied for membership.

Main image: Members of the Defences Forces prior to their departure for deployment to Lebanon as part of UNIFIL, 21-10-23. Image: Eamonn Farrell/© RollingNews.ie