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Irish Examiner
27-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Ireland's defence spending is labelled a 'bad joke'
Ireland's continuing low level of defence expenditure — stuck at 0.2% of GDP — has been described as a 'bad joke' just a day after EU partners in Nato agreed to boost their target spend from 2% to 3.5% of GDP. The development comes as Tánaiste Simon Harris, minister for foreign affairs and defence, is on Friday expected to announce plans to join the EU's new security procurement mechanism to accelerate the acquisition of defence equipment. Ireland is not yet joining the loan part of the mechanism — with a total fund of up to €150bn available — but the Government is expected to consider this in the coming weeks, with Mr Harris believed to be keen to explore the prospect. Figures provided to the Irish Examiner by the Department of Defence show defence expenditure was 0.2% of GDP in 2024. It has remained at that rate since 2021, and is slightly lower than 2020 (0.3%). Gross National Income (GNI) is considered a more accurate estimate of national wealth than GDP in Ireland, as it excludes global profits of international companies sent to Ireland for tax purposes. The department figures show Ireland's defence spend is 0.4% of GNI (twice as much as GDP), with the latest figure for 2023. It is the same rate as 2022, and slightly lower than previous years (0.5%). The estimates are despite increased defence budgets since the report of the Commission on Defence Forces in February 2022. This followed the Government's adoption of the commission's 'Level of Ambition 2' (LOA2) investment. This involves increasing the budget from €1.1bn in 2022 to €1.5bn, in 2022 prices, by 2028. The Irish Examiner reported last February that Ireland had the lowest defence spend of 38 European countries in 2024 — by far the lowest based on GDP, and joint lowest with fellow neutral Malta based on GNI. Our GNI-based spend was more than half that of another EU neutral state, Austria. The Department of Defence said the international comparison of military expenditure was 'made difficult' by the lack of publicly available data and the differences between nations' defence policies. As such, it said international perspective is 'best used for context rather than comparison' between militaries. Responding to the department figures, the association representing officers in the Defence Forces said the department "continually refers to the 'record allocation' in the defence budget'. Lieutenant Colonel Conor King, general secretary of Raco, said: 'With Ireland still far below the levels of investment of comparator EU countries, despite the increasingly unstable global security environment, and with the personnel levels so low, how can we be satisfied that this level of spend remotely addresses Ireland's needs to defend our citizens? If we're honest, we can't.' He added: 'Look at the Nato commitment to 5% ([3.5% on national defence and 1.5% on critical national infrastructure and resilience]. Now look at us at 0.2% of GDP or 0.4% of GNI. We are so far away from reality it's like a bad joke. And many of those countries are our EU partners so it's not just a 'Nato thing'.' The Raco general secretary said the capabilities of the Defence Forces was in a very poor state: 'With our naval service unable to put to sea, our air corps grounded after dark, and huge difficulties in staffing overseas, not to mention our technician strengths below 50% in most areas, which capabilities are we delivering on fully? And at what cost?' The Tánaiste is expected on Friday to sign up to the EU Security Action for Europe (SAFE) in a bid to speed up, possibly by two years, the acquisition of key defence capabilities, such as: ammunition; artillery systems; critical infrastructure protection; air defence systems and maritime capabilities. Mr Harris is focusing of using SAFE to address gaps in specific equipment, particularly through joint acquisitions with other member states.
Hindustan Times
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Market-based lifestyle has reduced relationships to mere transactions: RSS leader Hosabale
Mumbai, The e-commerce and market-driven lifestyle are weakening social bonds and altering the fundamentals of human relationships, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale has claimed. Market-based lifestyle has reduced relationships to mere transactions: RSS leader Hosabale India has never been a land of rigid ideologies which obstruct independent thinking. "Bharat has never lived just for itself, it has always existed for the well-being of the world," Hosabale said on Tuesday. He was speaking at a discussion here on the book 'Integral Humanism: A Distinct Paradigm of Development' by Ashok Modak, published by the Indian Council of Social Science Research. "A market-based, government-oriented life is damaging for society. E-commerce is a glaring example. It has reduced relationships to mere transactions," the RSS leader said. Explaining his concerns, Hosabale said, "If I want to get Modak's book in a village in Tamil Nadu, I can easily order it online. It seems convenient. I pay and they deliver. But is it really that simple?" "Traditional marketplaces were rooted in long-standing relationships. A farmer would borrow from a trader who knew him and his family for years. Will Amazon ever understand or replicate that kind of trust? It is faceless. We are slowly losing the essence of such human connections," he said. In the United States, "society has practically disappeared", Hosabale claimed, adding only individuals and the state are left in that country. "This model of a welfare government and a market-centric life is not sustainable for a healthy society," the RSS leader added. He also raised concerns about the modern world's approach to nature and lifestyle. "We can not live without electricity, but we must think about how to generate it efficiently and integrate it into our lives in a way that respects the environment," Hosabale said. Education should focus on imparting values and not just information, he said, adding that "new knowledge must be created to build a cohesive society." Referring to Modak's arguments in the book, Hosabale said, "The western world view revolves around individual rights, survival of the fittest and exploitation of nature. But we discuss a different approach, one based on compassion, concern and compatibility. A human being is part of society, and society cannot exist without nature." He also lauded Bhutan's 'Gross National Happiness model' as an alternative vision to economic indices. "Human and societal well-being are complementary. Both cannot exist without nature," he said. "A society cannot live in the past alone. People may draw lessons and inspiration from history, but they must also look ahead to the future and live fully in the present. Bharat has never lived just for itself, it has always existed for the well-being of the world," he said. About the notion that India has failed to produce ideologues in recent centuries, the RSS leader said, "We do not accept this claim made by the West. The western civilisation, particularly in Europe, has been the cradle of ideologies like communism, capitalism and feminism. In contrast, Bharat has contributed philosophy." An ideology is a closed system which can not be changed, Hosabale said, adding that it comes in the way of independent thinking. "Bharat's contribution lies in philosophy, which offers light and guidance but encourages each person to find their own path. Buddha, Mahavir and Swami Vivekananda were not ideologues, they were philosophers. Bharat has never been a land of rigid ideologies," he said. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
NDTV
21-05-2025
- NDTV
5 Reasons Why Bhutan Should Be Next On Your Travel List
Hidden deep in the eastern Himalayas, Bhutan remains one of Asia's most underrated gems. This small, landlocked kingdom blends age-old traditions with jaw-dropping scenery — and yes, happiness is an actual national priority here. While much of the world races toward rapid development, Bhutan has taken a different path, choosing cultural preservation, environmental sustainability, and mindful living. With its peaceful monasteries, lush forests, and fiercely protected identity, it offers something far richer than your average holiday. If you're craving meaningful travel that leaves a lasting impression, Bhutan deserves a top spot on your bucket list. Here are five reasons why. 1. Happiness Isn't Just a Slogan — It's Policy Bhutan is famous for measuring success through Gross National Happiness (GNH) instead of GDP. It's not just a feel-good phrase — GNH is a framework that guides everything from government decisions to education and business development. You can feel it in the way locals engage with you, in the absence of overwhelming crowds, and in the country's slower pace of life. Bhutan's unique take on wellbeing makes it one of the most peaceful and grounded places you'll ever visit. 2. The Culture Is Completely Intact — And That's By Design Bhutan isn't interested in becoming the next tourist hotspot. It caps the number of visitors by imposing a daily Sustainable Development Fee (currently around $100-$200 USD depending on the season and length of stay), which supports local infrastructure, healthcare, and education. What does that mean for travellers? You're not elbowing your way through selfie sticks or watching sacred rituals turned into Insta moments. Instead, you get an authentic glimpse of a country that's fiercely protective of its identity — from its architecture (no high-rises allowed) to national dress codes that are still worn with pride. 3. You Can Visit One Of The World's Most Iconic Monasteries Paro Taktsang — better known as the Tiger's Nest — is the crown jewel of Bhutanese landmarks. Perched on a cliffside at 3,120 metres, it looks like it was plucked straight out of a fantasy film. But the climb up is very real-and so worth it. The hike takes about two to three hours each way, passing pine forests and fluttering prayer flags. Built in the 17th century, the monastery is believed to be where Guru Rinpoche, the man credited with bringing Buddhism to Bhutan, meditated for three years. It's not just a tourist attraction — it's a pilgrimage site that locals deeply revere. 4. It's The Only Carbon-Negative Country In The World That's right-Bhutan doesn't just talk sustainability; it lives it. While most countries are scrambling to offset their carbon emissions, Bhutan is setting the global gold standard. Over 70% of the country is covered in forest, helping it absorb more carbon than it produces. Hydropower, generated from glacial rivers, provides clean energy, and environmental protection is even baked into its constitution. Travelling here means you're contributing to a country that genuinely values its natural environment. Bonus: The air is some of the cleanest you'll ever breathe. 5. The Food Packs A Punch Bhutanese cuisine doesn't hold back on flavour-or spice. The national dish, ema datshi, is a fiery mix of chillies and cheese, and it's served with just about everything. Don't be surprised if you see dried red chillies hanging from balconies — they're as essential to daily life as rice. Meat lovers and vegetarians alike will find something to rave about, from hearty pork stews to momos (dumplings) and red rice grown in the highlands. And while you're at it, try a glass of ara, a traditional rice-based spirit that's often homemade and occasionally potent.
