Letters

Neutrality and defence spending

Unless we increase our spending to absurd levels, it is inevitable that we will be reliant on the help of other countries

Letters to the Editor. Illustration: Paul Scott
The Irish Times - Letters to the Editor.
Fri May 31 2024 - 00:05

Sir, – There is much discussion around the need to increase our defence expenditure, but I have not seen any suggestions as to what our target expenditure should be.

All members of Nato are signed up to an agreement to spend the equivalent of 2 per cent of their gross domestic product (GDP) on defence per year. This seems like a reasonable benchmark.

In 2022, Ireland’s military expenditure was reported to be €1.1 billion (or 0.225 per cent of GDP). To reach the levels set out in the Nato agreement, this would need to increase to €9.8 billion each year (a figure that will rise as our GDP continues to grow).

I am not certain, but even at that level I can’t imagine our defences would present more than a minor speed-bump to a better-resourced country that is intent on invading us. Unfortunately, unless we increase our spending to absurd levels, I think it is inevitable that we will be reliant on the help of other countries in such a situation.

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Although not ideal, I think we would be better served by simply accepting that, and spending the money on any of the countless things that could meaningfully improve the lives of people in Ireland or internationally. – Yours, etc,

CONOR McDONNELL,

Dundrum,

Dublin 16.