Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on Defence, Seán Crowe TD, has welcomed certain elements of new Defence spending and has his raised concerns about others.

Deputy Seán Crowe said:

“There is an increase in Defence spending from €885 million in Budget 2015 to €903 million in Budget 2016.

“It is welcome that this contains a €2 million commitment to put the Emergency Aeromedical Service on a permanent footing and pay provisions to allow for continued recruitment to the Defence Forces.

“I am concerned that some of this increased Defence spending may well be directed towards Ireland’s participation in the 2016 EU Battlegroup and the additional pressure from the EU and NATO for European countries to increase their weapons spending.

“Due to such a significant increase I want the Government to ensure that they will continue to provide a naval vessel and crew to partake in life saving search and rescue missions in the Mediterranean. These crews need to receive a wage that reflects the dangers involved in their work, something which is denied to them at present.”

ENDS