Catherine Callaghan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

I thank the Tánaiste for his response. It is very important to acknowledge the marked increase in our defence budget. We are making good progress and it is really important that this momentum should continue. I mention the second part of the SAFE regulation, which is the loan. One way I would have liked to have seen this momentum continue was through availing of the SAFE loan. It was a loan that was very competitively priced and had a long maturity and for me it is a missed opportunity. I understand fully the logic of not wanting to borrow money when we have a very healthy surplus thanks to the work and commitment of the Ministers, Deputies Donohoe and Chambers, but this loan had other advantages too. It would have really bolstered Ireland's commitment to European solidarity and security, especially in light of the ongoing war in Ukraine and increasing threats to our critical infrastructure, including undersea cables that are vital to Ireland and the EU's digital economy, but also to our democracy.

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