Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Solidarity) | Oireachtas source

Military spending in western and central Europe is now higher than it was in the last year of the Cold War. In 2022, military outlays globally rose for the eighth consecutive year, hitting $2.24 trillion. This was before the Gaza genocide. This arms race is the backdrop to these Government proposals. The network of logistics hubs in Europe and support for operations provides for "predeployment of materiel" at hubs across Europe. That does not mean food and blankets. It means military equipment.

This is preparation for war. How can the Tánaiste square participation in such arrangements with Irish neutrality?

As for the defence energy manager's course he wants us to sign up to, the military and arms industry accounts for 5.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions. This is greater than the total emissions from the civilian airlines and shipping industries combined. The best way to protect the environment is to cut military spending, not jack it up and send defence energy managers on courses.

See this speech in context