Midlands 103

Search

Listen Live

On Air Now

2:00am - 6:30am

Through The Night

Chainsmokers & Coldplay

Something Just Like This

Defence Spending To Be Doubled In Coming Years As Ireland's Security "Hugely Vulnerable"

Friday, 29 April 2022 08:21

A midlands TD think the proposed increase in spending doesn't go far enough.

It's claimed Ireland is "hugely vulnerable" to security threats because of our Defence Forces spending.

Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney says Ireland is likely to increase its annual defence spending by at least €500 million in the coming years.

That would represent a 50 per cent increase on what's currently being spent.

But Cathal Berry, Independent TD for Kildare-South and former army ranger, says the proposed increase in spending doesn't go far enough:

Boosting Ireland's military spending by €500 million would still only be half of what other EU countries spend on defence, according to the former army ranger.

The rise in security funding would be significantly less than the most ambitious targets from the recent Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces report.

Deputy Berry says Ireland's neutrality leaves us vulnerable:

More from Midlands News

€200,000 In Cash And Substantial Amount Of Drugs Seized In Laois

A man and a woman have been arrested.
Massive Laois Operation Leads To Multiple Arrests In Connection With Stolen Vehicles

10 suspects were identified in December.
Over 300 New Dwellings Completed In The Midlands This Year

Nationally, there was a decrease of 12% on the same period last year.
Concerns Raised Over Emergency Power Plant In The Midlands

The project is expected to be completed in the near future.
National Ploughing Association Appoints New President, Chair And Vice-Chair

Five new appointees were announced today.
Offaly Boy 'Raring To Go' After Life-Saving Procedure

Joey Conway and his family travelled to the US for the surgery.
Over €7m In Just Transition Funding For The Midlands

€18m is being provided nationally across 15 projects.
Cancer Numbers Could Double By 2045 - Offaly Charity

Dóchas is calling on additional investment from Government.
First-Ever Laois Cost-Rental Homes Officially Opened

The Housing Minister was in Laois today to open the units.
Late Laois Two-Year-Old's Organs Used To Save Three Children

Hannah Kealy's mum is asking people to consider donating their organs.
State Expects To Exceed 2023 Midlands Housing Delivery

Just over 1,800 homes were built in the region last year.
Abolishment Of Carer's Means Test May Be Halted By "Permanent Government"

A motion has been put forward to replace test with a system based solely on needs of care.
Ryanair Calling On EU To Protect Flights Amid French Air Strikes

2,000 European flights have been cancelled today.
Low Cost Home Heating Loans The Final Piece Of Retrofitting Jigsaw - Pippa Hackett

Home owners can borrow money at low interest rates to make the home more energy efficient.
Gardaí Advising Motorists To Avoid Midlands Road

Emergency services are at the scene.
Drugs Are Being Drone-Dropped Into Midlands Prison

Prison Officers are calling for anti-drone technology.
Laois County Council Votes To Adopt New Local Area Plan

The new plan covers the needs of the mobility impaired as well as housing for students in SETU.
100k Children Missed Out On Dental School Screening In 2023

The dental workforce has declined by over a fifth in the last 17 years.
Prison Inmates' Mental Health Being Impacted By Over Crowding

A new report shows men in prison are facing several barriers to accessing mental health care.
Plans For Cycling And Walking Trails Across Midlands Bogs

The intention is in inter-connect with the Greenway.

Download Our App

Never miss a moment from Midlands 103