People Before Profit condemns Minister McEntee’s announcement of another large increase in planning military spending in the period to 2030. Minister McEntee stated that the planned €1.7 billion spend is a 55% increase on previous plans for military spending. People Before Profit says it will oppose these plans for more military spending and will defend the triple lock.
People Before Profit Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett said “The Government is going along with an agenda that’s being pushed by the big military powers in Europe, by NATO and by Donald Trump for bigger military spending.
“We are being subjected to endless evidence free claims of hostile drone and other military activity. There is no doubt this is all being used to whip up fear that will be used to justify ending the triple lock and spending billions more on military equipment.
“Militarisation will not make us safer. It will bring us towards war, towards young people being maimed and killed in the interests of the wealthy and the powerful. Escalating militarisation will end in disaster and Ireland’s best defence against it is our neutrality.
People Before Profit Deputy Paul Murphy said “The Government is ramping up military spending when people are crying out for homes, when those with disabilities have been made €1,400 worse off by the budget, when people are facing their highest electricity and gas bills ever because the government has ended the energy credit”.
“The more we spend on weapons and military equipment, and the more we involve ourselves in the imperial military plans and infrastructure of the EU and NATO, the poorer we will be and the more we will be at risk.
“Last week Germany announced it will introduce ‘voluntary’ military service for 18-year-olds. Its proposals include provisions for possible compulsory military service for some. Students protested against the plans in 90 towns and cities across Germany. The French Government also recently announced plans for ‘voluntary’ military service for 18- and 19-year-olds. It's clear where the EU is headed. It is preparing for war at a terrifying rate and we should have no part of it.
“People Before Profit will not accept Ireland being dragged into the West’s imperial and military undertakings. We will oppose these plans for more military spending and we will steadfastly defend the triple lock.”