Ireland needs to invest more in soldiers because of neutrality – Harris

By Gráinne Ní Aodha, PA

The Tánaiste has said Ireland needs to invest more in Irish soldiers because of neutrality.

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Defence Simon Harris told a cadet commissioning ceremony on Friday that he will ensure Ireland does not become a “laggard” on defence spending.

He highlighted Defence Forces personnel, as well as radar and sonar, as elements where he would like to see further investment during this Government’s term.

He said that investment in monitoring capabilities needed to happen with “a degree of urgency”.

“Just because we’re a militarily neutral country, and in fact, because, perhaps, we’re a militarily neutral country, we need to invest more in the personnel, the men and women of the Defence Forces, but also our capabilities,” he said at the Curragh in Co Kildare.

“We need to do more when it comes to radar, we need to do more when it comes to sonar.”

Asked to clarify if Ireland is a laggard on defence spending, Mr Harris said he would not.

He said he was proud of the peacekeeping work that 339 Irish soldiers do in southern Lebanon, which he paid a visit to this week.

“I am making the point that the world has changed, and that we can no longer presume that we are immune in a way perhaps Irish people have somewhat presumed, that past governments have presumed, from the threats that the world faces.

“We’re part of the European Union. There is a war on the continent in Europe, the type of threats that countries face has changed significantly – hybrid and cyber – and we need to make sure that we’re prepared to protect and defend ourselves.”

He said that this would include making a contribution to peacekeeping and being able to gather information on “what happens around our seas and in our skies”.

“So it’s more about realising that we need to get with 21st century needs in terms of defence, and we’ve started that work already with a record level of funding for defence this year.

“I really want to see a significant investment in capability and I do think when it comes to defence and security, and that needs to happen with a degree of urgency.

“Ireland has a very large sea area that we have responsibility for, we need to know more there.”

Mr Harris was speaking at a ceremony held at the Defence Forces training camp in the Curragh, Co Kildare, where 35 cadets and 29 potential officers were commissioned.

Among them was Captain Kira Connaughton, who received her first salute from her husband Sgt Dave Connaughton, who celebrated the day with their daughters Molly and Fiadh.

Speaking at the Curragh, Defence Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Sean Clancy said a greater emphasis has been put on defence in recent years, both in Ireland and across Europe.

“We occupy, obviously, a very significant geographic strategic position here on the western extremity of Europe, and therefore we have a significant role to play.

“I’m confident that we’re growing into that role every single day and we will continue to do so.”