Page 14 - Signal Summer 2018

| SECURITY DEBATE |

Defence Discussion Document:

A Blueprint For Progress?

SIGNAL takes a look at the recently released Fine Gael discussion paper on Irish security
and defence and presents the main points in contains. We also took some time to talk to
Brian Hayes, MEP, about why, in these uncertain times, we need to move the debate from
an ideological to a practical perspective.

he release of the Fine Gael discussion paper on that meets our own objectives. But before we do that,
Tdefence, entitled Ireland and the EU: Defending our we need to actually analyse what those objectives and
Common European Home was published in March this requirements are, and I think the response to the paper
year. It was the first major Fine Gael related defence has been largely positive, because people do realise that
paper since 2003, and it’s critics have said that it simply security is necessary in order for a country to safeguard
‘reheated’ elements of that Gay Mitchell led document. so many other aspects of society, since we are a small
However, considering the shrill response which greets and open economy.”
any mention of security, neutrality or defence, the docu- In terms of the EU security, he emphasised that action
ment is to be welcomed in light of the recent establish- on security within the bloc had definitelyt increased in the
ment of PESCO, and as something which may trigger wake of the many terrorist attacks which have taken place
the oft mooted, but never fulfilled, national debate on our on European soil in recent years, some of which laid bare
defence and security requirements. the lack of defence and intelligence gathering capabilities
Sitting down with SIGNAL, Brian Hayes explained that, which can be deployed. “Ireland has the lowest per capita
in his view, much of the debate around anything related GDP spend on defence within the European Union and I
to security and defence is outdated, and that we need to think if we are to take the issue seriously, and it’s an issue
move past trying to disprove the ideological opposition that must be taken seriously, then we need to address
which many groups here to any investigation of security this. With our historic underinvestment in the Defence
needs, and focus on the reality of European defence and Forces and defence infrastructure in general, we could
security. This is, he explained, “simply about working be perceived as a soft target. Our military personnel do a
together where is is beneficial for Ireland and other states tremendous job, both at home and overseas, but we do
of the EU. This is not an issue which would override need to address issues related to investment, resourcing
our own sovereign concerns. It needs to be a debate and conditions of service,” Hayes added.

The discussion paper highlights areas
of Ireland's security discourse that it's
author's argue should be fundamentally
overhauled. (Photo: DF Press Office)

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