Fianna Fáil MEPs must explain Michéal Martin U-Turn on EIB Defence spending – Kathleen Funchion MEP

Sinn Féin MEP for Ireland South, Kathleen Funchion, has said Fianna Fáil’s MEPs must explain why, only a year after rejecting the idea in a vote in Strasbourg, their leader has now said he is “not opposed” to the European Investment bank spending on defence.

MEP Funchion said:

“It comes as no surprise to see Michéal Martin supporting moves towards greater militarisation of the EU, but his statement that he is “not opposed” to the EIB spending more on defence might come as a shock to his MEPs who voted only 12 months ago to reject the idea.

“Then, Barry Andrews and Billy Kelleher voted, like Sinn Féin, to reject broadening the EIB’s mandate to include buying ammunition and so-called dual use technology as well as military equipment more generally. Fine Gael must also explain if their abstention has now shifted into support for such a proposal.

“The EIB has contributed to tackling the housing crisis and is a huge investor in climate protection. It plays a valuable social role but now the EU looks set to turn into a prop for the arms industry. Each cent directed to buying bullets is a cent less that is available for housing and climate mitigation measures.

“It is worth noting that Fianna Fáil’s manifesto cited the EIB as part of the solution to the housing crisis by funding student housing and social housing. How does this fit with making EIB funding for housing compete with money for tanks and jet fighters?

“This is an impossible circle for Fianna Fáil to square. Within weeks of being elected Michéal Martin has thrown his MEPs under the bus by signing up wholeheartedly to one of the worst parts of the militarisation agenda.”