Photograph: Simon Wohlfahrt/BloombergFormer minister for finance Paschal Donohoe vetoed proposals by the Department of Defence that Ireland should look at borrowing up to €100 million for military equipment under an EU initiative to provide long-term loans. However, the Department of Finance said its minister, Mr Donohoe, had decided Ireland should not apply for loans under the Safe initiative. However, The Irish Times reported in August Mr Harris had sought funding of €3.4 billion for capital defence projects. However, the Department of Public Expenditure did not want capital expenditure on defence to go beyond about €230 million each year. The defence sector will receive about €300 million in capital funding next year under the Minister’s new plan.

Source: The Irish Times December 13, 2025 11:32 UTC