Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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81. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his Department's Estimates for each year since 2008; the percentage of GDP and GNP it was annually; if he has had communications with the Minister for Finance to increase it to the EU average of 1.4% or the proposed EU 2% of GDP annually in line with NATO countries projected military spend and with President Donald Trump's pronouncements. [52876/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Expenditure by my Department for Vote 35 (Army Pensions) and Vote 36 (Defence) for 2008 to 2016 is as set out in the table below, along with expenditure expressed as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Gross National Product (GNP). The Army Pensions and Defence budget provision for 2017 is €921 million. 2017 GDP and GNP figures are not expected to be published until Q2, 2018.

Defence Expenditure (Votes 35 & 36)2008-2016

The White Paper on Defence sets out the roles assigned to the Defence Forces by the Government and the associated capability requirements. As part of the annual Estimates process, my officials and I engage with the Minister and officials in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) to ensure that the appropriate level of financial resources are provided to enable the Defence Organisation to deliver effectively on all their assigned roles. The Estimates are, in due course, approved by Government and voted by the Dáil.

There is no requirement on Ireland or any other EU member State to achieve any specific target in relation to Defence expenditure, nor is there any agreement at EU level in this regard. As I am sure the Deputy is aware, the Lisbon Treaty explicitly provides that it is entirely a matter for Ireland, or any other Member State, to determine the nature and volume of its own defence and security expenditure, as well as the nature of its defence capabilities.

Ireland’s cooperation with NATO is conducted through the Partnership for Peace (PfP) and there is no requirement on Ireland to achieve any specific target in relation to Defence expenditure.  The target of 2% for Defence expenditure is for NATO allies.  Partnership for Peace retains its own separate identity and was founded on the basis of a bilateral relationship between NATO and each of the Partnership for Peace countries.  Ireland’s purpose in participating in the PfP is to improve Defence Forces capabilities and to ensure that our Defence Forces are interoperable with the forces of other States engaged in UN mandated crisis management operations.