Smith calls for Dáil debate on military spending

Labour’s defence spokesperson, Duncan Smith, has called for an urgent Dáil debate on defence to be scheduled.

Tánaiste Simon Harris is expected to sign up to the EU SAFE (Security Action for Europe) instrument, another indication that the government is looking to spend more on military spending and tie Ireland closer to Europe on military issues.

Smith said the electorate “needs a guarantees” that Ireland can invest in defence while protecting the long-standing policy of neutrality.

“Labour is very wary about the growing push towards militarism in the EU,” the Northside TD said.

“In the context of Trump pressuring NATO countries, many of whom are EU member States, to increase their defence spending to 5% of GDP, SAFE will be the mechanism to achieve this goal for many of these states.”

“We are not a NATO state and any investment we make in our defence forces cannot be conflated with NATO goals. We cannot, as a militarily neutral state, have this seen to be Ireland in lock step with NATO militarism.”

Smith called on the Tánaiste to answer questions in the Dail about what he plans to do next.

“I am calling on the Tánaiste to make himself available on the floor of the Dáil, or the Defence and National Security Committee, and explain in detail how signing Ireland up to this initiative will strengthen our military neutrality and our voice as a state which stands for peace and justice in the world. I am extremely wary of his ability to do this if we are joining the rush to arms within Europe.

“We cannot separate the announcement from the rush from Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil to remove the Triple Lock without seeking any alternative guard rails for our overseas deployment. We cannot act in haste. There is too much at stake here,” Smith said.