“EU Investment Bank should not be hijacked for military spending during a housing and climate crisis” – Chris MacManus MEP

Sinn Féin MEP Chris MacManus has condemned moves from the EU’s Investment Bank, the EIB, to fund military spending to a greater degree. He said the EIB’s role needs to be fully focussed on economic development especially helping countries tackle crises like the housing crisis.

He said:
“I am appalled that this week that the EIB has decide to step up its support for the so-called “defence industry”. This means that funding for the likes of retro-fitting homes and investments need to transition to tackle and mitigate climate change will be in competition with weapons manufacturers. That is a disgrace and reflects on the direction of militarisation the EU is moving in. 

We are living through a cost of living crisis across Europe and here at home a housing crisis Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil show no sign of facing up to and here we have the EU’s investment bank which likes to call itself the EU’s Climate Bank upping its support for arms dealers.

“The priorities of the EU need a serious reset and only Sinn Féin will represent Ireland’s voice in a way that oppose militarisation.” ENDS