Blog Feeds
Human Rights in IrelandA Blog About Human Rights
Cedar LoungeFor lefties too stubborn to quit
Dublin OpinionLife should be full of strangeness, like a rich painting
NAMA Wine Lake
|
Debate Needed on Ireland Joining EU's Permanent Structured Cooperation on security and defence (PESCO)![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Press Release ShannonWatch - 3rd Dec 2017 The Fine Gael / Independents government is to propose to the Dail this coming week that Ireland join the EU's Permanent Structured Cooperation on security and defence (PESCO). This will mean a new EU Defence budget starting at over €1.5 billion a year (up from €590 million). Each participating EU state, including Ireland, will be required to reach an average of 2% of its GDP to ensure that the EU becomes a global military power. As a result, Ireland will have to increase its military expenditure by 2020. According to the Phoenix Magazine (1/12/17) the Government is seeking a leap in defence spending from the current €946 million in 2018 to around €3 billion plus by 2020. This is likely to result in major cuts in other areas such as the health sector. |