Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I have real concerns in relation to this White Paper. Mr. Moore has already referenced the €8 billion from the EU defence budget and a further €10 billion from the start-up entrepreneur programme, STEP. There are also the reinforcements of the European Defence Agency, EDA, through the Common Procurement Act, which I think has approximately €300 million. It does not therefore seem as though the EU is stuck for finances when it comes to militarisation. My first question is, why do we need this White Paper when global military expenditures have now reached an all-time high? I will follow up with two or three questions in order to use my time effectively. Further, is this not evidence that the EU Commission has turned away from targeting climate change and towards a more militarised EU?

I also want to reference how ten Irish third-level institutions are currently taking part in Horizon Europe projects with Israeli Government departments, universities and private companies. Israel is, in fact, one of the main beneficiaries of Horizon Europe, and Israel, according to the International Court of Justice, is carrying out a plausible genocide. There are therefore human rights concerns here. Is it not the case that if options 2 or 3 were to be enacted, Irish researchers and EU taxpayers could find themselves undertaking or funding research that could contribute to serious human rights violations and even genocide? Finally, I want to ask Mr. Moore for a list of stakeholders, to whom I think he referred in his previous statement. It would be helpful to all of us if he could provide that list. Chair, I will use my time effectively and those are the questions I would like to be answered, if possible.