Newmarket-on-Fergus Councillor Says Government Should Prioritise Housing And Health Over Military

A Shannon-based councillor says he is in favour of the government joining an EU or NATO-led mission to protect undersea cables. It follows comments from the Taoiseach that he will give strong consideration to joining any such venture in light of reports of Russian mapping of the seabed off the Irish coast. Ireland is a member of PESCO or Permanent Structured Cooperation which aims to deepen security and defence cooperation between EU members. Fianna Fáil's Pat McMahon believes Ireland is unable to protect its undersea cables by itself.