Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 March 2017
22. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the way in which he plans to meet the 2% of GDP spending target on defence agreed by EU member states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15484/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra28. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if Ireland will be exempted from having to increase its spending on weapons and military capabilities from 0.6% to 2% of GDP (details supplied). [15269/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 22 and 28 together.
In June 2016 the European Council adopted Conclusions welcoming the presentation by the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Ms. Frederica Mogherini, of the European Union Global Strategy on Foreign and Security Policy (EUGS) and invited the High Representative, the Commission and the Council to take the work forward.
In order to build the capabilities and capacity required to enhance the EU's ability to respond to external crises through the Common Security and Defence Policy, the EU Global Strategy states that member States must channel a sufficient level of expenditure to defence and make the most efficient use of their resources. This is not new and recalls the European Council's call on member States in June 2015 to allocate a sufficient level of expenditure for defence and the need to make the most effective use of resources.
There is no requirement on Ireland or any other EU member State to achieve any specific target in relation to Defence expenditure, nor is there any agreement at EU level in this regard. As I am sure the Deputies are aware, the Lisbon Treaty explicitly provides that it is entirely a matter for Ireland, or any other Member State, to determine the nature and volume of its own defence and security expenditure, as well as the nature of its defence capabilities.
