Irish MEP says calm debate needed on security and defence

French ambassador says his country does not view Ireland as neutral

Conor Gallagher Glenties
Fine Gael MEP Maireád McGuinness told the summer school that Irish spending on defence was the lowest in the EU at 0.3% of GDP

Fine Gael MEP Maireád McGuinness told the summer school that Irish spending on defence was the lowest in the EU at 0.3% of GDP

Ireland must engage in a national debate on its borders and security which does not descend into accusations of sending “our sons and daughters to war”, the vice-president of the European Parliament has said.

Speaking at the MacGill Summer School, Fine Gael MEP Maireád McGuinness said securing the external border of the EU “is now a priority” amid fears that failing to do so would see the return of internal EU borders and the breakdown of the Schengen system of free travel.

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