Opposition calls for upgraded air defences

CASH must be injected in to the State’s “completely out of date” air defences, say opposition politicians as a report to be published today confirms spending on defence equipment dropped sharply last year.

The Defence Forces annual report will give a detailed breakdown on spending, including the €33 million budget on defence equipment.

The spend last year represents a drop of €8m on the previous year but was in line with the 2004 budget.

Opposition politicians believe the time is right to decide on whether to develop defence systems capable of intercepting and downing aircraft.

Fine Gael's defence spokesman Dinny McGinley said: "At a time of increasing instability no country is exempt from the attentions of terrorists.

"We have become more high-profile these last few years and these last few months and will become more so in the next few days with the arrival of George Bush."

The Government must decide whether to develop a proper air defence or rely on Britain, he said.

Mr McGinley added: "A country that professes to be neutral must be able to defend that neutrality. What we are saying is that even though we are neutral, we would still have to call on our neighbours. There is an inherent contradiction in that and we have to make up our mind once and for all."

Money raised by the sale of properties expected to be €25m this year should be ploughed back in to defence. It should be additional to the budgeted spend, Mr McGinley believes.

Defence Minister Michael Smith has already conceded the State would have to call on military and civilian assistance from other EU countries in the event of a large-scale terrorist attack.

Mr Smith admitted there were deficiencies in the equipment available, particularly where a State facility came under airborne attack.

There is some pressure to invest in high speed interception jets with missile capability and ground-to-air defences.

Mr Smith chairs the Task Force on Emergency Planning, a multi-departmental agency charged with ensuring the State is prepared for attacks, including biological, chemical and nuclear attacks.

However, there is widespread scepticism that the emergency services, the Defence Forces or the health services are prepared, despite significant strides and extra training, particularly since September 11. Firefighters, in particular, have expressed concerns.