Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 November 2018
95. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans for budget increases across his Department in view of the PESCO agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48408/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to defence spending, Government policy is defined within the parameters of our national budgetary process and role of Dáil Éireann. Within the EU, it is accepted that defence and security is a national competence, including national spending on defence and security.
As part of Ireland's participation in Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), Ireland has committed to regularly increase our defence budgets in real terms. It should be noted that regularly does not mean annually but rather over the medium term. The allocations for defence announced in the budget for 2019 mean that Ireland’s defence expenditure will increase in real terms over the coming three years.
Joining PESCO does not involve an additional cost to the Exchequer. Additional costs may arise in respect of participation in specific PESCO projects similar to the case where the Defence Forces participate in European Defence Agency Projects. The projects where Ireland has confirmed our participation relate to the ongoing development of Defence Forces capabilities for peace support and crisis management operations. Costs associated with participation on these projects would be incurred in the normal course and will therefore be met from within the Defence Vote.
It is expected that sharing the costs of capability development across a number of member States should prove cost neutral in terms of overall projected defence expenditure.
