Displaying items by tag: Defence budget

12th July 2022

Minister Coveney Expected to Significantly Increase Defence Budget

Government is being asked to prioritise money for military radar equipment, including primary radar, RTE News reports.

The Minister for Defence is expected to recommend a major increase in defence spending at the Cabinet meeting later today, describing it as the "biggest Government decision on the Defence Forces in living memory ... and one of the biggest things I have ever done in politics".

Simon Coveney will update the Government on how to proceed with the recommendations made by the Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces.

The minister will ask colleagues to increase defence force spending from the current €1.1 billion annually to €1.5 billlion by 2028.

This is the recommendation for what was termed "level two ambition" in the commission's report.

The commission had called for this target to be achieved by 2030, but Mr Coveney is aiming to have the funding in place two years earlier.

More here on this spending programme.

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About the Loughs Agency

The Loughs Agency is a governmental body established under the 1998 Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of Ireland. The Agency's goal is to provide sustainable social, economic, and environmental benefits by effectively conserving, managing, promoting, and developing the fisheries and marine resources of the Foyle and Carlingford areas.

The Agency's governing legislation confers several specific functions, including the promotion of development of Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough for commercial and recreational purposes in respect of marine, fishery, and aquaculture matters. Moreover, the Agency is responsible for managing, conserving, protecting, improving, and developing the inland fisheries of the Foyle and Carlingford areas. Additionally, the Agency has the task of developing and licensing aquaculture, as well as the development of marine tourism.

The Loughs Agency reports to the North South Ministerial Council and its government Sponsor Departments, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland, and the Department of the Environment, Climate, and Communications (DECC) in Ireland. The Departments fund the Agency on an equal basis.

The Loughs Agency's focus on sustainable development is expected to have a positive impact on the economy, environment, and local communities in the Foyle and Carlingford areas. The Agency's efforts to conserve and enhance the region's marine resources, including fisheries and aquaculture, are expected to benefit local communities, promote tourism, and contribute to economic growth.

In conclusion, the Loughs Agency plays a vital role in promoting the sustainable social, economic, and environmental development of the Foyle and Carlingford areas. Its work on marine conservation and development is crucial in ensuring the long-term viability of the region's natural resources and in promoting sustainable economic growth.