Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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561. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if his Department has a view on supporting proposals to exclude defence spending from the calculation of excess deficit rules. [40580/16]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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As a member of the European Union, Ireland is subject to the Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) in place since 1999. Responsibility for policy approaches to fiscal rules is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Finance. It should be noted that Defence expenditure is not specifically referenced under the fiscal rules. Any scope for additional expenditure, under the existing parameters, applies equally to all sectors. My Department will ensure that any developments at EU level are kept under review. Any new approach must however take cognisance of the realities of the public finances and the long-term national interest.