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LAST UPDATE | 20 Mar
TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN has quashed claims that Ireland may soon send up to €1bn in non-lethal military aid to Ukraine, under new EU proposals, and said the plan would be agreed if the figure is “much lower”.
Martin is among the 27 EU leaders in Brussels today to discuss the major issues facing the bloc, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine, defence spending and economic competitiveness.
Today’s top priority is the EU’s continued support for Ukraine, with the bloc’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas telling reporters this morning that some member states need to start putting their money where their mouth is.
Kallas this week proposed increasing the EU’s military aid spending for Ukraine to up to €40bn, with member states contributing amounts relative to their economies so donation amounts are equal.
If accepted, it could mean that Ireland commits to spending up to reportedly €1bn in non-lethal military aid for Ukraine. Kallas’ proposal has been privately criticised in European circles.
Today, she said that though EU leaders agree to support Ukraine, that commonality is not currently reflected in the level of funding provided by each state.
“If you listen to the statements of the leaders, the support [for Ukraine] is very much there,” she said. “That’s why it should be seen in deeds, in numbers, in the actual ammunition that Ukraine needs. I’m hopeful that we will push this forward.”
Asked about this today, the Taoiseach said that he does not believe that the proposal will be agreed upon by EU leaders today.
He was cautious not to voice whether Ireland was in favour of the plan, highlighted that the government has already arranged to bilateral aid commitments to Ukraine, outside of the European framework.
“I don’t really want to speculate on something that’s not firm,” Martin said. “Clearly, I don’t see agreement on it today, unless it’s a much lower figure. Other member states have a particular issue with it.”
The leaders are also meeting amid US-Russian negotiations over a possible end to the war in Ukraine, the Israeli violation of its ceasefire with Hamas in Palestine and a struggling European economy facing threatened US tariffs.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres will also be joining the EU leaders to exchange views on multilateralism and oceans during a working lunch. The continued support of Ukraine will be discussed, and how best to approach peace talks as a cohesive bloc.
Martin said that the discussions will also be largely based on the update that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is due to give EU leaders, virtually, this morning and how to progress discussions towards a secure, lasting peace in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, a white paper proposing how the EU will follow through on a massive increase in defence spending, outlined by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen last week, was published yesterday and will likely be debated informally today.
Almost €800 billion, through loans and the loosening of fiscal rules, is proposed as spending for the plan. It is currently unknown if Ireland would benefit from the new measures, however.
Von der Leyen has defended the enormous spending increase and changes to fiscal rules through pointing towards the weakening reliance on the US as a defensive backstop and the highetend tensions, particularly in eastern Europe, over Russian aggression.
Speaking on the White Paper today, the Taoiseach said member states need more time to reflect on what is included in the policy plan but stated that the Irish government has already voiced support for von der Leyen’s renewed focus on defence in Europe.
“There are a lot of issues around [defence] procurement capacities within Europe and the capacity of the European defense industry to respond to this increased expenditure,” he claimed, while reiterating Ireland’s support for von der Leyen’s plan to address that.
A renewed focus has also been placed on Europe’s internal competitiveness, as the US economy continues to outpace the EU’s following the financial shocks brought on by the covid-19 pandemic.
A report published in September last year, which is now being used as the Commission’s economic framework for the EU’s single market, called on Ireland and other EU member states to share debt in order to boost competitiveness.
It also sought to cut red tape for tech and other industries which have come under tough economic regulations by the EU in recent years, in hopes that indigenous start-ups can grow and keep up with the increasing number of multinationals set up in member states.
Threats of tariffs on European goods from the US have also rattled European leaders, which is something that will certainly come up in Brussels today. Leaders are discussing competitiveness today in the hopes that it assists in existing rearmament plans.
Includes reporting by David MacRedmond
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My god people just don’t have a hope anymore!!
@Dman: these apartments are literally in the most expensive part of Dublin, the capital city of the fastest growing economy in Europe.
What should they cost €5 a week?
@John Purcell: It seems that that’s too much for some of DCCs tenants to pay.
@Dman: dockland, 2 bedroom, 3k5 to 5k what’s your problem ?
@John Purcell: I’m presuming that @Dman meant all the extras attached to getting them..
@John Purcell: €5 seems like the other end of the spectrum. Maybe you should switch to decaf.
@Alex: it should seems crazy to me that the prices are so high that €1700 is considered a discount.
@John Purcell: The fastest growing economy? You must be smoking or snorting the worst stuff. Ireland literally is third-last with a negative economic growth in 2024 (and similarly in 2023)
@Fliep Flap: I think he should replace the word ‘economy’ with ‘cost of living’.
@Joe Willis: Sure. What is someone doing here without knowing the meaning of certain key words. Google won’t hire them for sure.
That’s still not cheap. That could easily be half their salary.
@Laura Mulcahy: the theory is that the rent wouldn’t be in excess of 35% of household income
@J B: Yup but it makes no sense €1,850 for a 3 bed over €1,710 for a 2…I know, I know economies of scale etc. however childless, single people like mise ever avail of any discount. It’s the same with hotels.
@J B: these are homes for long term residents not flat shares.
Discounted? Not by much
@John O Reilly: ” allegedly” 1700 a month is a sweetheart deal??
@John O Reilly: Would hate to see the cost without the discount.
@John O Reilly: half the price is a discount. Maybe you are just bad at math?
@Mary Linton: for a 2 bed apartment in that location, it’s a great deal. The problem is, there’s on 46 available at that price, but it’s a start
@Kevin Kerr: * only 46 available
@John O Reilly: the article says 27% and 36% discount on market rate (which is mental in Ireland atm). “Not much” in your words but still a bit better for those who’ll have them.
@John O Reilly: They’re practically giving them away!
@Mary Linton: Wait till next year. 2500 per month
Not being funny like, but where are we all suppose to live in the future if prices just keep going up?
@Ethan Gannon: On the streets… unfortunately been there done that and I was a previous mortgage holder with a well paid job.
Can we collectively be positive about this? Love or loath Google, you have to admire this as a solution for so many under-paid, high valued personnel, necessary for the local community?
@Charles Kingston: Google employees don’t fall under the category of “Key” workers, and even if they did not many have ties to the area, nor have lived in the area for a minimum of five years. Their applications would be invalidated.
@Meh Meh: How do you know?…..Even if they are not from the area are they not allowed?
@Meh Meh: Please read the article! The offer is aimed at teachers, nurses, Gardai, not Google employees.
@Charles Kingston: Google had to give away units to either DCC or a housing body under part V legislation. Nothing against google but they aren’t giving away units for lower market rents on their own accord, they are doing it because they wouldn’t get permission in the first place if they don’t sign up to a Part V agreement..
@Charles Kingston: Read my reply again. This has nothing to do with Google. Google don’t own the entire Bolands Mills site. Cluid are dealing with the applicants. You’re the one mentioning Google. I simply said Google employees are not “Key” Staff. In nowhere in the article does it mention Google.
@Charles Kingston: Okay, now I get it. I didn’t know Google in on this. Nowhere in the article does it mention Google. Although I should really come to expect lots of missing information from the journal articles. They generally leave out a lot of details:
. https://www.cluid.ie/news-stories/46-discounted-rent-apartments-at-googles-bolands-mills/
.
Still, Google staff should not be allowed to apply for these 46 apartments. Elsewhere on the site, I suppose they’re allowed.
@Charles Kingston: After reading the full Cluid article, link above, it sounds like Google are actually offering these to their own staff, if the third party approvals board considers Google own staff as invaluable “Infrastructure” type workers. That clause sounds very open to interpretation. I wouldn’t be surprised if they managed to sneek long term local living Google staff into all 46 apartments.
@John Paul: rtfa
It is interesting how it seems that we just accept insane rent prices as okay and normal. I was renting all my life in central Dublin and a two bedroom was €900 to €1200 (at full cost) 7 years ago.
There are a lot of key worker jobs which are not paid even close to the expected amount here on a “discounted” price.
They are already in deep trouble. Housing used to be seen as a basic need of humans. We are in trouble since housing has become an investment game for speculators to make quick profits.
In Japan they made sure that even in expensive Tokyo apartments are available for every salary range as all workers are honoured. Even the street sweeper.
Only one condition, you need to know the right local politician.
Who & Why are providing these apartments at a discounted rent ?
.
That doesn’t make financial sense for whoever owns those apartments !
Yes, I know the rent is outrageous for most people in Ireland, but that’s a discussion for another day.
.
It’s the who and why bit I’m curious about.
Thanks
Tom
@Tom: Because when you build a housing development in Ireland over 4 units you have to provide 20% of the units to the local authority or a housing body under Part V legislation(10% in some cases). So Cluid are providing them at a cheaper rent. So for two working adults, 1700€ for a 2 bed, is only about €800 each in a city centre location. Sounds pretty good to me yet everyone here in the comments loves a moan..
@Tom: aI believe Google owns the building and are having cluid fill the apartments with key workers, like Gardai, nurses, teachers etc.
@John Lee: Cluid may be providing them but it’s the taxpayer who is funding them via Cluid. Not saying it’s a bad idea, in fact I would move all the unemployed that are in social housing in the city to free it up for low paid workers. Move the doleheads to cheaper parts of the country.
@John Lee: You’re right, 1700 per month split two ways is very affordable compared to other local properties. Problem is they’re only available to public servants who don’t earn an awful lot of money.
Gardai top out at 57k after 8 years of service. 58k salary minimum in order to rent.
@Tom: 100% why are Public servants, who already have highly paid jobs, 100% secure and valuable pensions getting discounted rents funded by the tax payer? Makes no sense
@John Purcell: agreed, in any other profession this would be considered a taxable benefit. This is a cash equivalent perk and should be treated as such.
Greed, greed and more greed. Our long dead patriots who fought to get the Tans out would be appalled at what modern Ireland has turned into.
We British in Ireland welcome this opportunity to see Indian prople in the Gardaí and working in Healthcare being able to live there. This is one of the reasons I am becoming an Irish citizen.
Cheap as chips to the average salary and by average I mean minimum wage or close to it.
A housing crisis caused by inept politicians over many , many years . The ” landlord culture ” hasn’t helped .. so here we are .
Well done, to those who returned this government in the last election
Your kids will thank you, lol
Just wondering if, there are any benefit in kind tax issues involved.
have your say