2026-05-07

72. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Defence her views on the release of figures that show that Ireland continues to languish at the bottom of the EU table for defence expenditure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33417/26]

I ask the Minister to comment on the fact that Ireland remains stubbornly at the bottom of the EU table for defence and security expenditure, and what plans she has to ensure that Ireland does not remain at the bottom and continues to improve its investment in this area.

I am very conscious, as we all are, of the narrative that Ireland has not been spending enough and that we have not invested in the Defence Forces. I think we all agree that we need to do more and spend more. That is why, in the past six months, we have seen an increase in our overall capital plan for the Defence Forces of 55%. We have a new defence sectoral national development plan from 2026 to 2030. This is a comprehensive plan for the record €1.7 billion capital investment in over the next five years - an increase of €600 million, or 55%, on the previous baseline. This investment provides for the modernisation of the Defence Forces capability across all domains. In addition, the defence Vote group has been provided with the highest ever level of overall funding - an allocation of €1.49 billion - for 2026. That is, over time, an increase in spending on capital by 55%. Our increase in current is going in the right direction. In the upcoming budget, I will be hoping to increase that further. When we look at the investment itself, we see that each new investment is delivering additional capabilities as part of our commitment to delivering on a major programme of capability improvement in the Defence Forces. For example, I opened a number of different blocks and accommodation and supports for the Naval Service base, but also for our Defence Forces across the country. This is part of a range of ongoing projects including the development of the cadet school - we spoke of cadets earlier. By investing in the school, we are encouraging more. It also includes a new medical facility at Casement Aerodrome. We also have a new contract for the construction of an Army Ranger wing headquarters at the Defence Forces training centre. A record €83 million has been allocated this year. What comes through when I speak to colleagues at an international level is what we are doing when it comes to our new capabilities, particularly the military radar programme. This is the first thing that I have brought forward in our capital plan to make sure that we have the appropriate capabilities that we need in terms of long-range, land and air radar, given that the type of challenges that we are facing is changing and we need to be able to respond.

Successive Governments, for decades, have underinvested in our Defence Forces. Beyond that, wider politics needs to take some responsibility. We have used our commitment to military neutrality as a reason not to invest in our Defence Forces and our national security. We do need, at this time, a greater degree of sophistication in terms of how we discuss this. I hold our military neutrality very dear. I do not ever want to see Ireland join NATO, a common defence union through the EU or any other composition that would tie our hands in terms of military deployment. I also want to see us invest in our national security and ensure that we are sovereign in that. The triple lock is a part of that discussion, but it is not the full discussion. Again, there needs to be an approach on all sides of the House in relation to that. It is a part of it, but it is not the full story. We have neglected them. There has been some change and some increased investment, but I believe we need more. We need a lot more.

We are in a good place in terms of the increased investment that we have agreed to. I think we need to do more. I fully agree with the Deputy. My intention is that if SAFE, a fund that is applicable to all member states, opens up again, which I believe it will, Ireland should be applying for funding through SAFE. We should be using our own money that we are investing in Europe to be able to invest in our security and our defence. I fully agree. I think there is a belief by some that our military neutrality - the militarily neutral position that we have taken - somehow does not fit with us needing to defend ourselves by making sure we have the appropriate security mechanisms in place to defend our people and to work with other colleagues, partners, allies and friends across the EU and at an international level. When I speak to colleagues about the fact that we now have a new national maritime security strategy, it is something that is very welcome. Our maritime domain is seven times the size of our land domain. Many of the risks we are seeing now are not land wars, albeit that is happening now in Europe for the first time since the Second World War, and we are very clear that we are not neutral on that war. We now have a situation where we know there is a shadow fleet and other ways of bringing about the cutting of significant cables, hybrid attacks or other types of security warfare that is impacting us as well.

Defence and security experts are clear that we are not at a major risk of a kinetic attack but that our infrastructure is under constant threat. It is important to ensure that the debate is taking place in that space. Last week, Dr. Paul Davis from the DCU Business School appeared before the defence committee on the topic of defence procurement and raised how defence procurement needs to be looked at differently. There is already a degree of exceptionalism to it, but we must look at it from outside the general procurement system in the context not of what delivers value for money today, but of what keeps us safe into the future in scenarios that we hope never arise. That is a difficult thing politically because success is measured on things that do not happen and that we do not see, rather than being able to point to something like a children's hospital. As controversial as it has been, at the end of it, we will have a hospital. It is different in defence and therefore requires a degree of political leadership. There is a real possibility that, come the end of this decade, Ireland could find itself sandwiched between Europe and a US that is becoming increasingly hostile to Europe. Who knows where the UK could be in terms of its politics? These threats are real. They are unseen, but they are something we need a sophisticated approach to.

I agree. There are two things we need to do. First, we need to spend more and we need to spend wisely. The investment in our military radar programme and our counter-drone technology is absolutely essential. We are also investing in sonar equipment in order that we can scan our seabed and make sure we know what is happening underwater as well as above the sea. I also mention the sonar buoys that are going to be deployed from our helicopters and our Air Corps. We also have investment that is happening in new technologies. We are supporting the private sector to make sure we have the best equipment and the best technology, whether it is on Haulbowline or in the monitoring of our seas and what is happening. It is also about investing in cybersecurity, where An Garda Síochána has a lead, but also the Defence Forces now have their own unit within it to make sure their equipment is safe and cannot be interfered with by other outside forces. The second thing does not cost money. It is about engaging with other countries. We do a huge amount already. We are involved in PESCO programmes, European Defence Agency programmes and UN programmes. We are looking to see whether we can do more in joining more co-operative agencies, task forces and groups that are set up within the EU and beyond. Where we are sharing information and intelligence and doing it on a more regular and structured basis, we have a better picture of what the challenges are and we are better able to respond. I am determined that we will do both.