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]
Sentiment score: 0.08
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.
Sentiment score: 0.71
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.
Sentiment score: 0.19
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.
Sentiment score: 0.14
78. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Defence the reason the conciliation and arbitration scheme for the permanent Defence Force has been without an adjudicator since June 2025; when an adjudicator will be appointed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33416/26]
Sentiment score: 0.08
Why has the conciliation and arbitration scheme for the Permanent Defence Force has been without an adjudicator since June last year? This is the only place Defence Forces members can have grievances addressed. This process is being held up because of the lack of an appointment. I would like an update please.
Sentiment score: 0.02
The continued delays and the recurring nature of this issue risks undermining the integrity of the C and A scheme in general. Given the unique restrictions places on the Defence Forces personnel, I have to say in the strongest terms, it is absolutely essential that this mechanism operates without interruption and with the confidence of all parties. I will bring this up at every Oral Question session having been making continued representations to the Minister and I will work with the representative bodies as well to ensure that this matter is resolves at the earliest opportunity.
Sentiment score: 0.48