Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There is huge potential in this proposal for Ireland. We must give that fact serious consideration. It is about pooling resources. I have said this in the House in the past. We must consider all of the proposals very carefully over the coming period, especially at Head of State level. That is where the Commission's proposals will really be considered.

The action plan will be formally sent to the European Parliament, the EU Council, the Committee of the Regions and the Economic and Social Committee for formal responses. I do not want to pre-empt anything, but I wish to say that we have to take these proposals extremely seriously and consider them. There is huge potential for Ireland. For a small country, given the amount we spend on defence, the proposals that the Commission has set out could get us more bang for our buck.

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