Irish Examiner view: Ireland's military spending must prepare for the present 

Not only has Ireland's army been under-strength, but our naval service is also unable to patrol Europe’s largest territorial waters

Members of the Defence Forces with a Mowag armoured personnel carrier training at the Glen of Imaal. Picture: Colin Keegan/Collins

Ireland is far from the forefront of military spending. Indeed, it is hardly at the bleeding edge of warfare generally. 

Spending has been relatively low for a long time, leaving not only our army reduced in strength, but our naval service unable to patrol Europe’s largest territorial waters.