Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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178. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he is concerned by the European Defence Agency's latest report which showed Irish defence spending decreasing as a percentage of national GDP; and if he is confident defence spending as percentage of GDP will increase over the coming years. [48259/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Defence Expenditure as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), based on latest Central Statistics Office (CSO) & Defence expenditure data stood at 0.2% of GDP in 2024. It has been acknowledged, and was referenced in the Commission on the Defence Report, that this level of percentage spend is lower than others in the EU.

However, it should be noted that Irelands GDP has grown hugely by over €330 billion in the 10-year period from 2014 to 2024. Arising from this significant shift in the National Accounts, Modified Gross National Income (GNI*) was introduced by the CSO in 2015 as a supplementary measure of the level of the Irish economy, to exclude globalisation effects. While GNI* was introduced by the CSO to allow for the impact of globalisation on the Irish economy, it doesn’t facilitate international comparisons. By way of comparison, Ireland’s Defence spend as a % of GNI* was 0.4% in 2024, the latest year in which GNI* data was available.

With regard to defence spending, Government policy is defined within the parameters of our national budgetary process and role of Dáil Éireann, and within these processes has increased by almost €350 million since 2014. In addition, following on from the recent NDP review, Defence capital funding is set to increase by €600 million to 2030. This evidences visible improvements over recent years, and within the funding provided, the Defence Forces continue to deliver a broad range of capabilities and operations, both at home and overseas.

Any assessment of comparably-sized countries and militaries must have regard to the fact that national threats and defence policies differ. International comparison of military expenditure is also made difficult by the lack of publicly available data, and by the breadth of difference between nations in their international security and defence policies. As such, the international perspective is best used for context rather than comparison between militaries.

Within the EU, it is also accepted that defence and security is a national competence, including national spending on defence and security and there is no EU requirement on Ireland or any other EU member State to achieve any specific target in relation to Defence expenditure.

Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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179. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence for an overview of capital expenditure between 2021-2025; and the breakdown of the allocation, by service branch as a percentage of total capital spend. [48260/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Capital investment in Defence is primarily directed at providing sufficient military capabilities, across land, air, maritime and cyber domains, to meet specific roles assigned to the Defence Forces.

Our national defence policy prioritises the military defence of the state and its contributions in support of national resilience. In that context, the Defence Forces undertake a broad spectrum of operational tasks that include national supports through the Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP), Aid to the Civil Authority (ATCA), Fishery Protection and Ministerial Air Transport (MATS) tasks undertaken along with overseas peace support and humanitarian operations.

In the main, investment over the period from 2021 has enabled the renewal, retention or acquisition of major equipment platforms (land, sea and air) and energy efficient infrastructural development within key military installations.

Total capital expenditure by Defence from 2021-2025, further broken down as a % across discrete spending areas is outlined in the table below.

Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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180. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the capital versus current expenditure breakdown of the €90 million recent H145M purchase, without breaching contract confidentiality. [48261/25]

Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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181. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the recent H145M purchase is for the Defence Forces; and if the Garda air support unit will continue to have its own fleet of helicopters. [48262/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 180 and 181 together.

In December 2024 the Department of Defence signed a contract for the delivery of four Airbus H145M helicopters which will provide a modern light-utility helicopter capability for the Air Corps. They will replace the present ageing fleet of two EC-135s, which have reached the end of their useful service life. The capital value of the contract is €91.7 million ex. VAT and it is anticipated that delivery of the helicopters will begin on a phased basis in Q1 2027.

The Airbus H145Ms represent a modernisation and expansion of light-utility helicopter capability for the Air Corps over the present EC-135s, which have reached the end of their useful service life.

Their multi-role capability mean that the H145Ms will be equipped to satisfy a wide range of missions including maritime security missions, utility missions, Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) and light attack missions.

As well as enhancing the Defence Forces current ISTAR capabilities, the aircraft also provide enhanced Electro-Optical and Thermal Imagery features not available in the current Rotary Wing fleet.

In 2023, An Garda Síochána separately purchased two police-missionised Airbus H145 helicopters for operation by the Garda Air Support Unit (GASU), which, whilst the property of the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána, will continue to be operated by Air Corps personnel.