At present we spend €1.1billion a year on the army, navy and air corps of which a large chunk –  €270million covers the pensions to current and former members.

However, the Commission on the future of the Defence Forces says we should be spending €3bn a year over the next ten years or €20bn in total.

On the shopping list for the Irish Defence Forces is a military radar system, 24 fighter jets and increasing the Navy from nine to 12 ships among ­dozens of new recommendations for a complete revamp of our forces.

However, it is expected the Government will boost spending by €1bn — bringing the annual spend to €2bn.

A new action plan is due to be presented to Cabinet by Defence Minister Simon Coveney before the summer recess.

“The invasion of Ukraine and the recent threat by Russia to carry out military exercises in Irish international waters has opened the Government’s eyes to how vulnerable we are. There is going to be a citizens assembly and a ­national debate on neutrality.”