Michael D Higgins says Nato calls for countries to hike defence spending are 'appalling'

President Michael D Higgins described the rise in defence spending across the world to $2.44trn as 'shocking'. Picture: Colin Keegan/ Collins

President Michael D Higgins has said calls by Nato for alliance countries to hike defence spending are “appalling” and rebuked the size of global military spending.

In a speech at the BT Young Scientists exhibition, Mr Higgins described the rise in defence spending across the world to $2.44trn as “shocking”. He contrasted it with the number of people who are suffering from hunger rising by 200 million.