16. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Defence if she would consider the use of EU SAFE loans to amortise the costs of defence investment over the 30-year life of the equipment, as is done in other EU states, including France and Spain. [74566/26]

Since entering into force on 29 May 2025, the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument has become a significant new EU mechanism, providing Member States with access to up to €150 billion in EU-backed loans to support national defence investment. A decision was taken in August 2025, in conjunction with the Department of Finance and the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation that Ireland would not draw down funding via the loan mechanism. However, Ireland is fully committed to taking advantage of joint procurement opportunities available under SAFE, where these projects are aligned with our capability development plans.

Any decision on Ireland drawing down SAFE loans would require the support of both the Department of Finance and the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation. In that context, any decision to avail of SAFE funding mechanisms will be considered as part of a broader assessment of defence investment priorities, including those set out under the forthcoming Capability Development Programme (2028-2040).