Latest news with #SecurityActionforEurope
RTÉ News
10 hours ago
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Behind the Story: 'Wild west' of corporal punishment, defence spend and Jeff Bezos wedding
The 'wild west' of corporal punishment in school is something that Paul Cunningham remembers well. RTÉ's Political Correspondent has opened up about his personal experience of the practice on Behind the Story. Remembering a particular incident back in 1978 as a 10-year-old, Paul recalls 47 years later how it stays with him. He reflects on recent changes which give schools guidance on how they should deal with former pupils who come forward and report historic abuse. The policy - Child Protection Procedures for Schools, 2025 - is an update on its original 2017 document. Katie and Paul also talk through plans for Ireland to partake in a new EU programme SAFE, or Security Action for Europe. The procurement scheme would enable the State to quickly acquire defence systems and help streamline procurement policies across the bloc. What does it mean for Ireland - and what could be in store for Irish troops amid a shifting interntional stage at the United Nations? Also the duo toast the 'wedding to the year' in Venice between Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez. You can listen to Behind the Story which is available on the RTÉ Radio Player.
Irish Post
13 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Post
Ireland joins EU SAFE defence scheme
IRELAND is set to join the EU's new Security Action for Europe (SAFE) scheme. This will speed up Ireland's ability to acquire new defence systems like cyber and air defence technology. Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Simon Harris is expected to formalise the decision this week, marking a major change in Irish defence policy. The SAFE initiative, which came into force in May, streamlines defence procurement across the EU and provides financial support. It allows member states to bypass traditional procurement rules, allowing faster access to weapons and systems. Ireland's move comes in response to growing instability around the world. Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine and the unpredictable nature of Donald Trump have pushed the EU to strengthen its defence. Alongside SAFE, the EU recently announced its €800 billion ReArm Europe Plan, aimed at building a more self-reliant European defence network. The European Commission has made it clear: 'The era of the peace dividend is over.' Domestically, Ireland is also rethinking its neutrality. The government may soon drop the requirement for a UN Security Council mandate to send troops abroad—a move prompted by concerns over Russian and Chinese veto power. Mr Harris has also proposed doubling Ireland's defence budget to €3 bn annually. While Ireland lacks a traditional arms industry, its tech sector is well positioned to benefit. Companies like VRAI, which develops VR training tools for military applications, are advocating for greater investment in Irish-led innovation. The Irish Defence and Security Association (IDSA) is urging the government to support local SMEs in defence procurement. Ireland has long relied on a stable international order for its security. But with alliances shifting and threats growing, the government is making it clear: Ireland must be better prepared for what the future holds. See More: Defence, EU, IDSA, SAFE Scheme, Simon Harris
The Journal
15 hours ago
- Business
- The Journal
Ireland joins EU defence initiative as countries across the bloc rearm
IRELAND IS TO sign up to a new EU initiative that supercharges military equipment purchases as Europe launches a huge drive to rearm, the Tánaiste has announced. Simon Harris, who is also Minister for Defence and Foreign Affairs and Trade, made the announcement this morning. The EU instrument called Security Action for Europe (SAFE) is an EU initiative intended to help member states focus on priority areas and address capability gaps. There have been some frustrations in the Irish Defence sector at the apparent slow pace of procurement but the Department of Defence believes that this initiative could quicken the pace of purchases by up to two years in some cases. This is achieved through engaging in joint acquisitions including ammunition, artillery systems and infantry equipment. Other areas such as critical infrastructure and cyber protections, air defence systems as well as drone and anti-drone tech. There is also a part of SAFE which will make a €150 billion capital pot available to member states which can be drawn down in low interest, long term loans. The EU, in its recent White Paper on Defence , has set out a plan to supercharge the European defence industry as countries across the Union rearm. Part of that plan is to ensure that countries like Ireland focus on purchasing from the arms industry of fellow member states. In practice, it will be much faster now for Ireland to acquire specific equipment in areas prioritised by the Defence Forces, in some cases up to two years quicker than under the current procurement rules. Advertisement As reported previously by The Journal Ireland had engaged in so-called Government-to-Government bilateral engagements but this is a more formal and more effective version of that. The Tánaiste said that he is 'steadfast' in his commitment to get Ireland up to the standard of other nations and that he will move through the initial agreed Level of Ambition Two by 2028 and onto Level of Ambition Three. This is criteria set out in the Commission on the Defence Forces which identified key failings in Ireland military capabilities. 'Availing of the possibilities available under the SAFE Regulation will allow Ireland to realise this ambition more quickly and more efficiently. 'I am determined to provide for the development of a full spectrum of Defence Force Capabilities that will bring Ireland in line with other similar-sized European countries. 'I have agreed, therefore, that the Department of Defence should leverage the common procurement opportunities offered under the SAFE (Security Action for Europe) Regulation as much as possible to progress delivery of Ireland's defence capabilities needs as quickly as possible,' he said. SAFE has an element which is a new EU financial instrument which will provide financial assistance to Member States to support their urgent public investments in defence industrial production, aiming to increase production capacity, improve the availability of defence products, and address capability gaps. The Regulation provides, amongst other things, for existing framework agreements or contracts held by Member States to be modified to add other Member States' requirements providing certain eligibility conditions are met. The regulation focuses on common procurement initiatives and associations with Ukraine's defence industry, ultimately strengthening the EU's overall defence readiness. The SAFE instrument will support Member States wishing to invest in defence industrial production through common procurement, focusing on priority capabilities. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Independent
20 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Ireland set to speed up defence spending by signing up to €150bn EU programme
The Security Action for Europe (SAFE) initiative was brought into force last month as the EU aims to become more sovereign and better equipped to defend itself. The aim of the programme is to finance urgent and large-scale investments defence technology to strengthen Europe's overall defence readiness. Tánaiste Simon Harris is expected to formally sign up to the SAFE legislative instrument today which will allow Ireland to invest in defence in a more speedily fashion. It is expected to now make it much faster for Ireland to acquire specific equipment in areas prioritised by the Defence Forces, in some cases up to two years quicker than under current procurement rules. The capability areas covered by SAFE include air defence systems, maritime surveillance, drones and anti-drone systems, as well as artillery systems. Mr Harris, who is also Minister for Defence, says he has been 'steadfast' in his commitment to invest in the Irish military. The Tánaiste also emphasised he is determined to 'provide for the development of a full spectrum of Defence Force Capabilities that will bring Ireland in line with other similar-sized European countries.' 'I have agreed, therefore, that the Department of Defence should leverage the common procurement opportunities offered under the SAFE Regulation as much as possible to progress delivery of Ireland's defence capabilities needs as quickly as possible,' he added. The European Commission says that member states that wish to invest in defence industrial production can do so through common procurement to boost production capacity and address existing capability gaps. While Ireland will focus on procuring equipment quicker through the programme, it may not require the SAFE initiative to access funds. It will also allow the EU to further support Ukraine by associating its defence industry to the SAFE initiative from the start. Announcing the instrument coming into force last month Adam Szłapka, Polish Minister for the EU, said that the first large-scale defence investment programme is worth €150bn. 'This is unprecedented instrument which will boost our defence capabilities and support our defence industry. The more we invest in our security and defence, the better we deter those who wish us harm,' he said.
RTÉ News
21 hours ago
- Business
- RTÉ News
Ireland expected to join EU scheme to accelerate defence procurement
The Tánaiste is expected to announce plans that will enable Ireland to acquire defence systems more speedily when he signs up to an EU instrument called Security Action for Europe, or SAFE. The move would, in part, streamline procurement policies across the bloc and enable Ireland to obtain sonar capacity and air defence systems more quickly. Russia's invasion of Ukraine and US President Donald Trump's lukewarm attitude to Europe's defence has led the European Union to reviewing all aspects of its security policies. The EU's SAFE instrument came into force at the end of last month and it seeks to provide financial assistance to member states to support urgent public investments in defence production and increase capacity. SAFE also aims to ensure closer cooperation among member states when it comes to joint acquisitions via a derogation from existing procurement rules. Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Simon Harris intends to sign Ireland up to the scheme. This would accelerate the country's ability to acquire defence capabilities such as force protection, artillery, cyber and air defence systems alongside sonar capacity. The acquirement process can currently take up to two years to complete. Mr Harris is expected to say he is determined to bring Ireland in line with other similar sized European countries when it comes to defence capabilities.
