Defence spending: Push to increase spending aimed at FDI interests

International pressure is being applied on Ireland to arm up — and our heavily dependent economy means gunboat diplomacy isn't even required 

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Taoiseach Micheál Martin during Mr Zelenskyy's visit to Ireland in December. Picture: Sam Boal/Collins 

In the last weeks of 2025, several major Irish lobby groups, consultancies, and think-tanks released reports making a business case for increased defence and security spending, including Ibec and a joint report from IIEA/Deloitte.

Why are business groups intervening in debates about Ireland’s defence and security policies? And why now?