Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

First, the defence budgets are increasing and have increased again this year on last year. Second, we are investing in the Curragh. I am sure many people would like me to accelerate that further and to spend more but we have invested and are continuing to invest in multiple projects in the Curragh. I will continue to advocate for increased budgets in defence. I think that is justified. We have a five-year capital investment programme already in place which commits to the expenditure of an enormous amount of money across all elements of defence infrastructure, whether it is the Air Corps, Naval Service or Army, in various camps and barracks and in terms of upgrading equipment, whether that is aircraft, refurbished Mowag vehicles or whatever. My job is to make sure that we invest appropriately in the Defence Forces in terms of infrastructure, equipment and human resources. We will do so. I recognise that the Curragh is the centre of operations and I am currently considering certain flagship projects in the Curragh.

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