Neutrality and a changing world

Sir, – The suggestion by Fintan Lane that the Irish people don’t want to increase our defence expenditure (Letters, June 24th) could be enlightened by the comparison of Ireland with other small European countries, such as Estonia.

Estonia, with a quarter of the population and less than 10 per cent the GDP of Ireland, has invested more than €500 million, more than 1 per cent of its GDP, on military assistance for Ukraine. Proportionally, Estonia invests more on Ukraine’s defence than Ireland invests on its own.

In 2024, its investment in its own defence will reach €1.33 billion. This is 3.2 per cent of its GDP, which is on top of what Estonia is investing in Ukraine. This €1.33 billion is similar to what Ireland invests on its own defence.

Thus a country with less than 10 per cent of Ireland’s wealth is able to invest the same as Ireland on its own defence, and contribute to Ukraine’s as well. Maybe the Russian bogeyman is just a myth, or perhaps Estonia takes the defence of its sovereignty seriously.

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Increasing our defence investment is not just about defending Ireland, but also defending Europe and demonstrating our solidarity with the many small European countries, like Estonia, that we will be there for them.

If one of Europe’s wealthiest countries is unwilling and unable to invest adequately in its national defence speaks volumes about how much successive Irish governments really care about our precious military neutrality. And shows how much it really cares about protecting Europe. – Yours, etc,

JASON FITZHARRIS,

Swords,

Co Dublin.