Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

First, any iteration, change or shift in CSDP within the EU will have to have respect for what we term the "specific characteristics" of policies of certain states including Ireland, Austria and Malta. That statement was made in the context of the Russian threat to the security of Europe. There is a real sense of vulnerability in terms of the war economy that is now, in essence, the driving force of the Russian position. Russia and its economy are on a war footing. Many countries who neighbour or flank Russia are extremely anxious and concerned about their own security situation and they see the war in Ukraine as existential. That is the context.

In terms of our position, we have the Commission on the Defence Forces. We are increasing our own capabilities and have to do so. We have a set programme in terms of procurement in respect of a whole range of issues that have been covered in the commission's report in the context of getting up to level of ambition, LOA, 2. That is the objective we have set ourselves.

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