The Tánaiste said he is “open to spending more on defence” as he highlighted security as a key focus during Ireland’s upcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Simon Harris added that this could involve accessing EU loans to help address gaps in defence capabilities, reports Breaking News.
In a speech at the Irish Embassy in Paris to mark Saint Patrick’s Day, Mr Harris said Ireland’s presidency in the second half of 2026 would involve working with other EU member states to make Europe “more secure”.
The Tánaiste then presented a glass bowl of shamrock to Benjamin Haddad, France’s minister delegate for European affairs, as a symbol of the relationship between the two countries, reports Breaking News.
Mr Haddad said France would be a “key partner and supporter” of Ireland’s presidency, which he described as coming at a “critical moment for the continent”.
“In this moment, we can agree that we need a strong European voice on international affairs.
“We need a strong Europe which will come first with the deepening of our competitiveness,” he said, reports Breaking News.
Referring to the invasion of Ukraine, Mr Haddad said Russia represents a threat to European democracies and their infrastructure.
“We also need to strengthen the common European industrial defence base.
“We need to accelerate in the next 12 months to continue to reduce our dependencies and to increase the ability for Europeans to take ownership of their own security and defence,” he added, reports Breaking News.
Mr Haddad said these measures would be “absolutely critical” in times of war and amid “questions arising” over Europe’s relationship with the US.
Asked if Ireland was under pressure from EU counterparts to increase defence spending, Mr Harris said he was “open to spending more”.
He said the State was investing more in defence than ever before and was “significantly and speedily increasing our capabilities”, reports Breaking News.
Mr Harris said France had been a “very important source” in boosting Ireland’s defence capabilities through Government-to-Government procurement.
He also said he was open to discussing Ireland applying to the Council of the European Union’s Safe loan scheme for defence measures.
“As finance minister, I’m open to spending more in relation to defence,” he said, reports Breaking News.
Mr Harris added that gardaí and the Defence Forces are “working really hard” to prepare for the presidency.
Asked about the threat of drone incursions, he said: “Many European countries, including some who spend very large sums of money on defence, have seen incursions into the airspace and the likes.
“I think it’s less about whether that happens and more about how you respond, and I’m confident Irish authorities will know how to respond correctly should such an incursion happen,” he added, reports Breaking News.
Elsewhere at the reception, Mr Harris met the Ambassador of Ukraine to France.
In a speech, he told Ukrainian embassy staff: “I want you to know – on this Saint Patrick’s Day period – Ireland stands with you and Europe stands with you for as long as it takes.
“Because while there is a brutal illegal war on your territory and your country, it is an attack on all of our values and security,” he said, reports Breaking News.
The Tánaiste also met with the ambassadors to France from Lebanon and Palestine.
He said he was “particularly concerned” about the security situation in Lebanon, where Irish peacekeepers are stationed, and told the Palestinian diplomat that Ireland would always “stand in solidarity” with the people of Palestine, reports Breaking News.
Mr Harris’ programme also includes a meeting with French Finance Minister Roland Lescure and engagements with Irish businesses in France.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.
