Defence Minister: Ireland should not be 'afraid' to work closely with British and French navies

LAST UPDATE | 9 hrs ago

THE MINISTER FOR Defence has said Ireland will have to work with other militaries, including Britain and France to secure the EU Presidency. 

Helen McEntee, speaking in Dublin this morning at the launch of the National Maritime Security Strategy, said, when asked about a shortfall in funding from the National Development Plan (NDP), that she intends to ask for more money to fund the purchase of capabilities for the Naval Service and Irish Air Corps.   

The MSS and the recently updated Detailed Implementation Plan have outlined significant increases in capabilities. The issue is that Defence sources have said that there is significant frustration for officials that the money does not exist to fund the projects as yet.  

It has been confirmed that former Defence Minister Simon Harris had requested close to €3.7 billion but the Department of Public Expenditure would only give the Department of Defence €1.7bn.

McEntee launched Ireland’s first-ever National Maritime Security Strategy (MSS) in Dublin.

The MSS is the first of two major documents to be prepared with the broader National Security Strategy being worked on by the Department of the Taoiseach.

McEntee said that the State had increased the NDP allocation for defence by 55%.

When asked by The Journal this morning if there was enough money to realise the objectives of the strategy the Minister said that she would be looking to find more money to fund it.  

“I think a 55% increase on our previous plan just shows the commitment from government, the ambition that is there.

“My intention to see can we secure funding at a later stage, but what we have now actually allows us to really prioritize where we know we can see an increasing threat and risk that’s in our skies, that’s in our seas, and that’s where the priority and the focus is, and that’s really enhanced by the maritime security strategy and its objectives here,” she said. 

She said that the preparation of the plan was helped of approximately 300 submissions from a wide range of interests, including government bodies, academia, industry and individual members of the public.

McEntee said that the role of the Defence Forces, particularly the Naval Service and Air Corps, will be “a vital foundation” to implementing elements of the strategy.

Advertisement

However the Minister did say that it was important that relationships with other militaries would be key to secure, not just the upcoming EU Presidency but the 

“What I am saying is that we’re actively engaged on whether or not we would need additional support from whether it’s the UK, France, or any other country, what that might look like, why we might need it, and how it might be utilized.

“Obviously the operational side of it is for the defense forces to engage with other Naval Service and other Defence Forces but I think it’s only prudent that we have that engagement that we explore what options are available to us, and that’s exactly what I’m doing at the moment.

“So on the detail of it, we’re only exploring what we might need or what we could do. But again, I don’t think we should be afraid to say that this is what other countries are doing,” she added. 

It is understood that a naval regeneration plan will be published shortly.

Reaction

Barry Andrews MEP, a vocal advocate for more robust spending on defence in Ireland, said that there should be urgent spending on naval ships. 

“It is disappointing that there is no commitment to procure any new navy vessels. Currently we can put only two vessels to sea at one time. As soon as possible, we need new Irish frigates patrolling our waters, crews to operate them and engineers to maintain them.

“In 2021, the government indicated they were planning the procurement of a new patrol vessel to replace the flagship LÉ Eithne, which was eventually decommissioned in 2024, but it seems nothing has happened since then.

“Nearly three-quarters of transatlantic subsea cables pass near or through Irish waters. With threats to undersea cables increasingly common, this issue is urgent,” he said. 

Sinn Féin’s Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire also criticised the strategy and said that it does not go far enough on security.

“Securing our seas is crucially important – we support that objective. But the government’s strategy is big on high level objectives, but thin on substance. We need a government that is strong on neutrality and strong on defence. This government is neither.

“Minister McEntee is yet again making big pronouncements and big announcements. But only a few weeks ago we saw timelines for key projects pushed back,” he said. 

Billy Kelleher, a Fianna Fáil MEP, said he welcomed the publication of the plan but said Ireland needs to engage more with other countries and their militaries. 

“I am heartened to see some honesty from the Government in terms of the need to work with neighbouring countries. Top of the list must be the United Kingdom, France and Spain.

“Everyone in Ireland needs to be honest with themselves about the need to work with other countries’ militaries. No doubt many on the extremes of Irish politics will be jumping up and down about this strategy being a further step towards militarisation. They need to be realistic about the real threats Ireland and the EU face,” he said. 

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.
Learn More Support The Journal