Ireland not using soft EU defence loan fund as markets 'cheaper'

The Oireachtas committee was told Ireland would consider joining other member states in a joint procurement of military equipment, such as body armour.

Ireland is not availing of a low-interest, long-term EU defence loan facility because the country can get lower interest rates on the financial markets, the Department of Defence has said.

The Oireachtas committee on defence and national security was told that while Ireland was not availing of the loan part of the Security Action for Europe (Safe), that it would consider joining other member states in a joint procurement of military equipment, such as body armour.