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<\/p>\nOperations have been stepped up for the next six months, but Ireland is relying on other countries for support<\/p>\n
Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh (Image: \u00a9INPHO\/Tom O\u2019Hanlon)<\/p>\n
It’s disappointing that Ireland didn\u2019t \u201cget ahead\u201d of increasing defence capabilities before the EU Presidency, a Fine Gael MEP has said.<\/p>\n
As Ireland assumes the presidency during a time of intense global unrest, experts have warned that the country is more vulnerable to attacks.<\/p>\n
Operations have been stepped up for the next six months, but Ireland is relying on other countries for support. Last week a French air defence warship was spotted off Dublin Bay as part of additional security measures for the presidency.<\/p>\n
The frigate is equipped with advanced air defence radar which can identify airborne threats. It\u2019s understood the Irish Naval Service doesn\u2019t have this technology, so a deal was struck with France.<\/p>\n
Fine Gael MEP Maria Walsh thanked France for its help, but said Ireland needs to step up when it comes to defence.<\/p>\n
Speaking in Strasbourg, she said: \u201cWhen we look at defence and security as a country that has known about our presidency for the last decade and knowing that the United Kingdom, which we still rely on for the likes of cyber security supports and the movement of people, it’s disappointing we didn’t get ahead of this.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Walsh said she would\u2019ve liked the procurement of this French support to be \u201cmore transparent\u201d and to have known what other countries applied for this.<\/p>\n
Ireland has the lowest level of defence spending within the EU, with spending just 0.2% of GDP in 2023.<\/p>\n
The Midlands MEP said this level of spending is also \u201cdisappointing\u201d, as she added: \u201cWe have colleagues that are openly calling us the weakest flank.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe’re in a very different type of geopolitical system now, not just with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but also Trump declaring the Greenland occupation is potentially alive and well again for him, which is wild to say, but that’s a real threat.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo I think we have to get real about what defence and preparedness looks like.\u201d<\/p>\n