Defence Forces
Dail Éireann — 2026-05-07
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Helen McEntee (FG), Meath East

I am very conscious, as we all are, of the narrative that Ireland has not been spending enough and that we have not invested in the Defence Forces. I think we all agree that we need to do more and spend more. That is why, in the past six months, we have seen an increase in our overall capital plan for the Defence Forces of 55%. We have a new defence sectoral national development plan from 2026 to 2030.
This is a comprehensive plan for the record €1.7 billion capital investment in over the next five years - an increase of €600 million, or 55%, on the previous baseline. This investment provides for the modernisation of the Defence Forces capability across all domains. In addition, the defence Vote group has been provided with the highest ever level of overall funding - an allocation of €1.49 billion - for 2026. That is, over time, an increase in spending on capital by 55%. Our increase in current is going in the right direction. In the upcoming budget, I will be hoping to increase that further.
When we look at the investment itself, we see that each new investment is delivering additional capabilities as part of our commitment to delivering on a major programme of capability improvement in the Defence Forces. For example, I opened a number of different blocks and accommodation and supports for the Naval Service base, but also for our Defence Forces across the country. This is part of a range of ongoing projects including the development of the cadet school - we spoke of cadets earlier. By investing in the school, we are encouraging more. It also includes a new medical facility at Casement Aerodrome. We also have a new contract for the construction of an Army Ranger wing headquarters at the Defence Forces training centre. A record €83 million has been allocated this year.
What comes through when I speak to colleagues at an international level is what we are doing when it comes to our new capabilities, particularly the military radar programme. This is the first thing that I have brought forward in our capital plan to make sure that we have the appropriate capabilities that we need in terms of long-range, land and air radar, given that the type of challenges that we are facing is changing and we need to be able to respond.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-05-07/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-28T05:50:46+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-05-07