Gerard P. Craughwell: Ireland Unprepared for EU Presidency
Gerard P. Craughwell warns that Ireland is ill-prepared to hold the upcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union due to historically low defence spending and unclear security arrangements. He contrasts defence allocations at 0.2% of GDP with recent extra funding to the Gardaí and urges ministers to explain how the State will protect visiting European leaders.
Gerard P. Craughwell highlights that defence spending remains at 0.2% of GDP, the lowest in the EU, while the Gardaí have received additional funding for the Presidency. He questions what provisions have been made for the Defence Forces and asks for a formal briefing from the Minister for Defence on state security during the Presidency.
Consequences and demands: Cyber threats, state reassurance and parliamentary scrutiny
Craughwell warns it is almost certain Ireland will face cyber attacks and other security challenges during the Presidency and says the public deserve clear reassurance. He calls on the Deputy Leader to press his parliamentary party and the Minister for Defence to schedule a debate and provide greater focus on protecting visitors and preserving Ireland's credibility on defence and security.
Key concern: Defence funding and security for the EU Presidency
Gerard P. Craughwell highlights that defence spending remains at 0.2% of GDP, the lowest in the EU, while the Gardaí have received additional funding for the Presidency. He questions what provisions have been made for the Defence Forces and asks for a formal briefing from the Minister for Defence on state security during the Presidency.
Consequences and demands: Cyber threats, state reassurance and parliamentary scrutiny
Craughwell warns it is almost certain Ireland will face cyber attacks and other security challenges during the Presidency and says the public deserve clear reassurance. He calls on the Deputy Leader to press his parliamentary party and the Minister for Defence to schedule a debate and provide greater focus on protecting visitors and preserving Ireland's credibility on defence and security.
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Transcript
Go raibh maith agat, Cathaoirleach. Yesterday we read in the Irish Examiner that defence spending is still at 0.2%, the lowest in the entire European Union. Malta, the tiny island of Malta, has 3% spending on defence. We also note that the Gardaí have been awarded an additional I think it's 165 million for the Presidency of the EU. No word whatsoever as to what the defence forces have been provided with for the Presidency of the EU. I have to ask, Deputy Leader, and I know from your own constituency you will have some understanding of where I'm coming from. You're probably one of the few in the Oireachtas that understands fully what goes on within defence. But how can we take on the Presidency of the EU where the current central focus of the EU is defence and security? When we are spending 0.2% of GDP or 0.3% of GNP, which is more or less the same for GNI, how can we credibly take on the European Presidency and guarantee the safety of senior government leaders who will be coming into this country? I would ask you to use your own influence to have the Minister for Defence to come in here and discuss the security of the state over the period of the EU Presidency. The public have a right to know how we will behave as a sovereign nation to defend not just ourselves but to defend our colleagues and our friends from Europe who will come to this country. I see nothing, nothing to reassure me at this point in time. It's almost certain we will suffer massive cyber attacks. It is almost certain that we will have other issues to contend with. Sadly, as a result of the Zelensky visit, we can't be running around the place clapping ourselves on the back saying how prepared we are. We are ill-prepared. I would ask you not just to use this office here today to call on a debate but to use your own influence within your own parliamentary party to raise the matter and give it more focus. Thank you for your time.