Budget 2026 Reaction: Defence Boost Not Enough - Cathal Berry

Fifty new civilian roles and seventy key civil service positions, including in cyber security, will be created.

A former Defence Force member from Laois believes the government still has a lot of work to do to bring the country's military up to an appropriate standard.

It comes after the State announced a net increase of 400 defence force members in Budget 2026.

There's also 50 new civilian posts, and 70 critical civil servants being hired including in the area of cyber security. 

Additionally, there's funding for a new Defence Force Uniform and money for military radar programme.

Ex Army Ranger, Portarlington's Cathal Berry says he's giving the government a modest grading:

More from Midlands News

Download Our App