Latest news with #EUWhitePaperonDefence
The Journal
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Journal
EU Minister: Europe's security fears are 'new Brexit' as Ireland must be pragmatic on defence
CONCERNS AROUND EUROPEAN security have become the 'new Brexit' for Irish officials and their EU counterparts, the European Affairs minister has said. Thomas Byrne, was speaking at an event in Dublin hosted by the Irish Institute of International and European Affairs , in which he outlined his views on the future for Ireland's interaction with EU defence mechanisms. The talk looked at the recently published EU White Paper on Defence which was released in March. Byrne, speaking as both European Affairs and Defence Junior Minister, spoke about Ireland's connections with NATO as well as the broader question of EU Defence. 'It is perhaps a telling reflection of the changed world we live in today, that 'Brexit' no longer forms part of our daily lexicon, and that my Ministerial role now combines European Affairs with Defence. 'It seems that security is, in effect, the new 'Brexit',' he said. Byrne spoke about the foundation of how Ireland conducts international relations. He referenced Article 29 of the Irish Constitution which does not permit Ireland joining an EU mutual defence pact. 'While Ireland does not see a home for itself in NATO, nor can we afford to live in a house of splendid isolation, either. 'I believe that we must approach our security and defence from a policy of 'principles-based pragmatism',' he said. Byrne said, that the State must follow that pragmatic approach to address threats as they arise and he called for closer ties with EU allies. 'In real terms, I believe that we need to see increased co-operation with our fellow EU members on security and defence,' he said. Minister Thomas Byrne speaking in Dublin today. Sarah Burke. Sarah Burke. 'Champion' Byrne explained that there was a need to continue increased investment in security and defence capabilities. He also said there was a need to 'champion' legislative reform governing the deployment of the Irish Defence Forces, such as amending the triple-lock. 'Our constitutional position is clear when it comes to an EU common defence. Our policy of military neutrality remains unchanged. 'And we will always act in accordance with our obligations under international law. But any bad actor will not hit our strengths. They will hit our vulnerabilities. Advertisement 'We simply cannot be locked into a state of stasis in responding to the geopolitical challenges, and security and defence risks, that face us,' he said. Byrne coined the phrase 'principles-based pragmatism' as the policy for how Ireland views its security and defence into the future. He noted that the upcoming June meeting of the European Council will follow the NATO summit in The Hague. 'The timing of the NATO meeting will underscore the fact that coherence and complementarity with NATO, will be part of the picture, for those EU Member States for whom NATO capability targets inform their capability needs,' he said. Byrne said that the last time he was European Affairs Minister, his opposite numbers in Finland and Sweden were preparing to join the NATO alliance. 'As I noted at the outset, Ireland does not see a home for itself in NATO. 'But, in taking a principles-based pragmatic approach to our security and defence, I believe that we should continue to partner with NATO in line with our existing principles, within frameworks such as Partnership for Peace. 'This partnership has proved successful for Ireland since 1999 and has acted to improve the inter-operability of our Defence Forces, including through our participation in UN, and EU missions, overseas,' he said. Guillaume de la Brosse of the European Commission speaking in Dublin today. Sarah Burke Sarah Burke 'Special relationship' Speaking also at the event was Guillaume de la Brosse who was involved in the drafting of the EU white paper on defence. He works in the European Commission's Defence Industry and Space Department. The document sets out plans up to 2030 and it includes a strategy to move away from a reliance on the US for mutual security. It also has said that it is to boost the defence industries in the EU so that they can increase the manufacture of equipment and weapons. De la Brosse said that the White Paper was to generate debate among member states but it respects the individual countries and their approaches to security. 'Europe is big. We have 27 member states. They all have their own history, their own relationship with defence. 'So you're [Ireland] not isolated in this kind of special relationship that you have with defence,' he said. 'I can tell you that the design of the white paper was a bumpy road to find the common ground between all member states to make sure that the reception of this white paper would be positive. That was one of the biggest challenge that we had to face,' he added. De la Brosse said, along with other speakers at the event, that the need for defence capability investment must run in tandem with a major expansion of Europe's military industrial base. 'We need to step up our efforts when it comes to our own security and defence. We need to do it by 2030 because we know, according to certain intelligence services, that Russia may be willing to test some of our member states in the upcoming years,' he said. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
The week ahead in business: Gabriel Makhlouf before Oireachtas committee, Central Bank report on financial stability, and CSO Live Register figures
It's far more likely, of course, that politicians will pursue him on the Central Bank's role in authorising the sale of Israeli bonds. There may also be questions about his recent remark that the Government should 'take stock' before making any further interventions in the housing market, as he wondered if they were all 'mutually supportive'. Also on Wednesday, the Central Bank will publish its latest Financial Stability Review, a twice-yearly report that evaluates the main risks facing the financial system, and assesses our resilience in the face of those risks. Tomorrow, the Fiscal Advisory Council will publish its assessment of the economic situation, looking at the impact of on-off tariffs as well as the state of the public finances. The independent watchdog will no doubt run its rule over the Government's annual progress report, published at the start of last month. Staying with tariffs, and tomorrow marks the end of the European Commission's public consultation on what products should be hit by counter-measures to US president Donald Trump's levies if negotiations between the EU and US fail to agree on terms. On Wednesday, the Institute of International and European Affairs is hosting an event on European security, and specifically the EU White Paper on Defence. The keynote address will be given by Thomas Byrne, junior minister for European affairs. A panel discussion on the issue will feature Professor Brigid Laffan, and it will be moderated by Catherine Day, a former secretary-general of the European Commission. The Central Statistics Office will have Live Register figures today, but its most interesting release this week comes tomorrow, when it will have an update on how much electricity is being used by data centres. They currently consume one-fifth of Ireland's power supply, but that proportion is projected to rise to one-third in the next few years.
Irish Times
05-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
Irish businesses could gain from EU rearmament, say Government memos
Europe's continuing efforts to restock its military supplies and increase defence co-operation present valuable opportunities for Irish businesses, according to internal Government memos. Various EU defence projects will also allow Ireland to increase its capabilities in the maritime, cyber and air domains, officials state. The memos illustrate the Government's enthusiasm for a suite of new EU mechanisms designed to increase defence spending and to boost the bloc's native defence industry. According to one document prepared by the Department of Finance , these measures are needed as the EU faces a growing security threat from Russia 'which will persist into the foreseeable future. READ MORE 'At the same time, the United States, traditionally a strong ally, is clear that it believes it is overcommitted in Europe and needs to rebalance, reducing its historical role as a primary security guarantor,' it stated. In its advisory note, the department endorsed one of these plans known as Security Action for Europe (Safe). This scheme will see the European Commission raise up to €150 billion on the capital markets, which will be made available to member states for defence spending in the form of low-cost loans. The Department of Defence is analysing the Start programme 'with a view to identifying possible collaborative procurement opportunities that may arise under the instrument'. It cited maritime, air and cyber as areas where opportunities may arise to collaborate in procurement. Regarding financial opportunities, the document notes Ireland does not have a defence industry 'per se' but does have 'a very vibrant and innovative SME sector'. The Department of Finance judged that Safe 'has the potential to deliver opportunities for wider industry collaboration in defence applications for SMEs in Ireland'. There are a growing number of companies in Ireland specialising in so-called 'dual-use' technologies that have both military and civilian applications. These include companies making drones, AI and virtual reality technology. The department also supported the loan format of the programme, as liability for repayments will rest with individual countries. In the absence of these EU mechanisms, there is a risk to Ireland of an increasingly fragmented EU defence industry that would 'likely result in significant inefficiencies in public spending, lead to a price spiral for defence equipment, and potentially the crowding out of member states with more limited purchasing power', the advisory states. [ Irish tech firms pivot to defence as EU re-arms Opens in new window ] Government and military officials have repeatedly stressed the need to work with other EU countries on defence. Last week, the Cabinet approved plans to work with up to four other countries in procuring a military radar system by 2026. The Safe programme is contained in the recently published EU White Paper on Defence, which aims to increase dramatically EU defence spending and co-operation. A separate memo prepared for Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Simon Harris on the White Paper states that while there are no plans for Ireland to change its policy of military neutrality , there is a need 'to enhance our individual and collective preparedness and capability across all areas of security and defence'. This will require investment, the Tánaiste was advised. 'White Paper proposals are expected to incentivise member states to co-operate more on capability development – to procure together more regularly and to procure from the European defence industry,' the memo states. The memo also raised the possibility of Ireland joining EU defence 'flagship projects' focusing on cyber and maritime capabilities. Jointly procuring equipment will not affect Ireland's security policy and is already provided for in EU legal frameworks, the memo states. Ireland plans to take a 'constructive approach' towards the proposals, it states. It will work to ensure decisions 'respect the security and defence policies of all member states – including those, like Ireland, who are militarily neutral – whilst addressing our critical and pressing capability gaps'.
