Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The latest comparable figures on Defence expenditure as a percentage of GDP, obtained from the European Defence Agency, are set out in the table below. The figures show that, in 2012, Ireland’s Defence expenditure, including Army Pensions, at 0.55% of GDP, was the lowest of these countries.

Country	2012 Defence expenditure as a % of GDP
Ireland	0.55%
Malta	0.58%
Austria	0.80%
Sweden	1.13%
Finland	1.47%

Each country pursues a Defence policy that reflects its particular requirements and there can be significant differences in the proportion of funding that differing States allocate to Defence. I am fully committed to ensuring that the Defence Forces can continue to meet this State's defence policy requirements. The preparation of a new White Paper on Defence is a key priority as it will provide the defence policy framework for the next decade and beyond. Defence policy is a critical aspect of Government policy and I am determined to ensure that the new White Paper fully addresses the Defence response to future security challenges and related resource requirements in a comprehensive way.