Collins: Defence budget must be spent on crumbling defence infrastructure at home —not fuelling an EU war machine

Michael Collins TD, leader of Independent Ireland, has warned that any increase in Ireland’s defence budget must be ring-fenced to restore and properly resource Ireland’s own crumbling Defence Forces, and not “hollowed out to subsidise some emerging EU military complex or foreign priorities.”

The West Cork TD said that urgent national security threats—including undersea infrastructure, naval readiness, and air surveillance—are being ignored in favour of “soundbites about strategic autonomy and European solidarity,” while Ireland’s actual defence capability “barely exists in operational terms.”

His comments come as concerns grow over Ireland’s acute vulnerability in the event of foreign interference with undersea cables and gas pipelines—critical infrastructure which, according to former TD and Army Ranger Wing commander Cathal Berry, would leave the State reeling within hours if targeted.

“We are talking about the digital and energy lifelines of the nation,” Collins said. “If one of the two gas pipelines under the Irish Sea were severed, we’d have hours—yes, hours—before facing a national energy crisis. That is not a theoretical risk. It’s an active vulnerability, and the Government has known this for years.”

“Instead of hardening our defences—investing in our own sailors, soldiers, and air personnel—we’re watching the Tánaiste parade around Europe in search of relevance. Our seas are unpatrolled, our skies are blind after business hours, and €250 million worth of naval assets lie idle in Cork Harbour. But we’re told Ireland is playing its part on the European stage.”

Deputy Collins said Independent Ireland is demanding a full audit of current defence assets and capability, followed by a clear spending plan that directly addresses recruitment, pay, equipment and readiness.

“There is zero point in increasing defence expenditure if it doesn’t go to fixing the basic failures: manpower, vessels at sea, helicopters in the air, and 24/7 monitoring of our airspace and maritime zone,” he said. “That’s how you defend a neutral country. You don’t hand money to Brussels while our navy can’t even put ships to sea.”

He added that any move to integrate Irish defence spending into EU frameworks or pooled systems must be resisted and the focus should be on restoring Ireland’s national capabilities.

“Our obligation is to the Irish people, not to some fantasy of a European army. I will oppose any measure that sees our defence budget repurposed to support EU ambitions while our own ships, aircraft and infrastructure rot from neglect,” he said.