Emma Hickey reports from Paris

TÁNAISTE SIMON HARRIS said he’s “open to spending more” on defence, after a rousing speech by a French minister at Ireland’s Paris embassy on the need for the EU to strengthen its defence.

Speaking to reporters in Paris, Harris said, “Ireland is spending a lot more money on defence than we ever have before, and we’re significantly and speedily increasing our capabilities.”

He said France has been an important source for Ireland in terms of “boosting our capabilities, and we’re very grateful to them”.

“As Finance Minister, I’m open to spending more in relation to defence,” he continued. He referenced the Safe Loan system, a European initiative that will provide up to €150 billion in “competitively priced, long-maturity loans to Member States requesting financial assistance for investments in defence capabilities”.

If it reopens, “I’m open to having a conversation about Ireland applying to that,” he said.

He said a large amount of security preparation for Ireland holding the EU Presidency in July is underway.

Harris was speaking to reporters on the balcony of the Embassy of Ireland in Paris at the embassy’s St Patrick’s Day political reception.

Tánaiste and Finance Minister Simon Harris speaking during a St Patrick's Day political reception at the Embassy of Ireland in Paris, during his visit to France. Liam McBurney / PA Liam McBurney / PA / PA

At the reception, he spoke about Ireland’s ties to France and the importance of the European Union.

He expressed concern for the ongoing conflict in the Gulf region and stressed Ireland’s commitment to supporting Ukraine and Palestine.

Ambassadors for Palestine and Lebanon were in attendance. Harris welcomed both and noted Ireland’s peacekeeping links with Lebanon.

Addressing the Palestinian ambassador, Harris said, “I want you to know while the world’s eyes may be averted into different places at different times, we will never forget Palestine.

“We will never forget your right to statehood, and we will never forget the horrific humanitarian crisis that is ongoing in Palestine.”

Also in attendance at the embassy’s event was Minister Delegate for European Affairs Benjamin Haddad, who was the guest of honour. Harris presented Haddad with a bowl of shamrock.

Haddad spoke passionately about Europe’s security and defence, and condemned Russia’s attack on Ukraine.

Tánaiste and Finance Minister Simon Harris presents shamrocks to Benjamin Haddad, Minister Delegate for Europe of France, at a St. Patrick's Day political reception at the Embassy of Ireland in Paris. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

He said the EU would support Ukraine for “as long as it takes” against Russian aggression, “and to support and to defend all of our democracies against the threat that Russia represents with its constant intimidation, with its interference into our democracies, with its attacks against our infrastructure.”

“We need to strengthen our common European defence space,” he said.

“We need to accelerate in the next 12 months to continue to reduce our dependencies and to increase the abilities for Europeans to take ownership of their own security and defence – which will be absolutely critical in the time of war and when we see questions arising about the relationship with the United States and the security guarantee coming from the other side of the Atlantic.”

Haddad said France would be a “key partner and supporter” of Ireland’s EU presidency, which he said comes at a “critical moment for the continent”.

“In this moment, we can agree that we need a strong European voice on international affairs.

“We need a strong Europe which will come first with the deepening of our competitiveness.”