Irish neutrality and the cost of joining NATO

What arguments weigh against the Republic of Ireland joining NATO amid concern about seabed infrastructure?

The largest obstacles are the cost and institutional consequences of rebuilding defence capacity when Ireland can currently rely substantially on nearby allies.

The cost objection presented here is that NATO membership would require Ireland to fund and rebuild more of its own defence capacity. Reliance on the United Kingdom and France reduces the immediate incentive to make that investment. Ireland's strategic importance to British security makes continued British involvement especially likely in this argument. The criticism of the size and equipment of Ireland's military is accompanied by praise for the capability of Irish units serving on UN peacekeeping missions.