Ireland should not join Nato or chance stance on neutrality, says Tánaiste

Tánaiste Simon Harris said he is 'an absolute supporter' of Irish military neutrality but that conversations around defence spending cannot be 'boiled down' to a discussion on ending it. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA

Ireland should not join Nato or any EU army or change its stance on neutrality, the Tánaiste has said.

Simon Harris said that while the country's foreign arrangements should not change, a target to get to €1.5bn a year in military spending must "be the floor" as "aggressive" procurement of military equipment and spending on recruitment and retention becomes the norm.