Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have given a timeline for when we expect to reach LOA2, namely, by 2028. I will work constructively with the Deputy on this to see if there is potential to accelerate this process. That will be a matter for engagement with Government colleagues, the Taoiseach and the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. We are taking action on this and any objective examination of Defence Forces spending would have to acknowledge that we have significantly increased Defence Forces spending over the last few years. We now have the highest ever budget for the Defence Forces. Is it enough? The answer is "No". The Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces shows us very clearly that we need on a trajectory to reach LOA2 and then, as the programme for Government says, to head on to LOA3. Since taking office, I have asked my officials to prepare a detailed breakdown of costings for how we can get from LOA2 to LOA3.

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