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NUMEROUS TDS and senators have voiced their concerns about Ireland signing up to a European defence pact known as Pesco.
The plan has created a controversy here amid fears that it could undermine Ireland’s policy of neutrality.
Some argue Pesco (permanent structured cooperation on defence) is the first step towards an EU army, with its proposals including inclusion in the European medical command, a network of logistic hubs across Europe and a creation of a European crisis response centre, as well as the joint training of military officers.
Last week, the Cabinet gave the go-ahead for Ireland to take part in an EU plan.
However, as per the Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009, for Ireland to participate in Pesco, a government decision and Dáil approval is required.
A motion is due to be brought before the Dáil next week for approval. Countries have to sign off on the plan at the next Foreign Affairs Council meeting on 11 December.
While some TDs argue signing up to the deal will impact on Ireland’s neutrality, Minister with Responsibility for Defence Paul Kehoe maintains it poses no challenge to it.
Historic decision
The Green Party’s Eamon Ryan said the deal would have huge implications for Ireland’s future budgets and the Irish Defence Forces. He said a full debate on this historic decision was needed urgently.
Tánaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney said the proposal for more structured cooperation on defence and security issues across the European Union has been in development for a number of years.
He said:
It does not, however, oblige Ireland to do anything. The structure has, essentially, a voluntary opt-in that allows Ireland to choose the projects in which we want partnerships with other countries. Perhaps these could be in areas such as marine surveillance, peacekeeping, training or cyber security.
This is a practical response by the European Union to create more structure around co-operation when countries choose, on a voluntary basis, to work together in a more coherent way. The Government will be recommending that Ireland supports the programme.
Sinn Féin’s Aengus Ó Snodaigh said the move is an “absolute scandal” and hit out at the independent ministers in government.
“So much for the Ministers of State, Deputies Finian McGrath and Halligan and the Minister, Deputy Ross’s supposed support for Ireland’s neutrality. It will be interesting to see how their supporters react to this and how they can justify such a move,” he said in the Dáil this week.
He claimed the aim of Pesco is to jointly develop defence capabilities and make them available for EU military operations.
Ireland’s neutrality
“That is at odds with Irish neutrality. Our capabilities should be available to the UN and the UN only. The minister should bear in mind that it also allows for the EU alone, it is not obliged to act with the UN’s support. It can also be used to support NATO operations.
“When we raised this during the debate on the Lisbon treaty, we were told that we were scaremongering. Here we are a few years later, and we have been proven right. Ultimately, the minister is talking about going to war,” said Ó Snodaigh.
Sinn Féin Senator Fintan Warfield also expressed his disbelief at the government’s decision to approve Ireland’s involvement Pesco.
He said the plan is being driven by France and Germany, which are both key members of NATO.
“By signing up to this the Government would, in addition to committing to providing troops to Pesco missions, be committing to trebling current spending on defence, at a huge cost to the Irish people,” said Warfield.
Minister Kehoe said he was not hiding anything from the national parliament on the issue.
“I do not want deputies to leave the chamber saying that our neutrality has been brought into question. The situation could not be further from the truth. The final Pesco document reflects the position of neutral countries, of which we are not the only one. Other neutral countries have already signed up to Pesco,” said Kehoe.
European army
Earlier this month, the Taoiseach reiterated what Kehoe had said, stating:
“Ireland will not join a European army, nor will we contribute to a common European defence budget.”
However, he said he wants Ireland to be part of a common security and defence policy.
Varadkar said security threats exist today which are not the traditional ones that existed in the 1940s when NATO was established and when Ireland enunciated our policy of neutrality.
“They include cyber terrorism, cyber attacks, traditional terrorism and drug and human trafficking. We want to be involved in European actions against all of these. We also want to share our experience and knowledge, as we do already, through the European Defence Agency, of which we have been a member since 1992,” he said.
Labour’s Brendan Howlin said Ireland cannot “drift” into such an agreement and called for a proper debate on the issues in the House.
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Not like the government to tell a lie an legislation they want pushed through the Dail. The full implications of this move to join NATO in any way shape or form isn’t in Ireland’s best interests.
@Dave Doyle: we already part of nato we actually had 2 officers in afgan in intel role supposedly in observer role and before in iraq ok only 2 but thats far from neutral and both these officers carried a side arm was an.article in spanish paper doing rounds on.face book in afgan and parade consisted of British army major and next him an.irish captain
@Mark Dawson: we don’t need shell shocked battle ready nut jobs with personal arsenals, thanks
@Mark Dawson: we are not part of NATO.
As for your anecdote about two staff observing NATO, if you consider this being a de facto NATO member, I’m going to need that explained to me very slowly
@Mark Dawson: now tell me we aint.part of nato
@David Huston: I.certainly.hope you not referring to me unless u have served and can back your shell shocked ww1 reference up I did not serve in.Ireland and certainly don’t need explain or justify my service to anyone including you shell shocked my arse you.no idea what you spouting , im way.more clued.in on this subject than you or any other civilian arm chair politician here
@Mark Dawson: that’s an ISAF mission, and does not make us part of NATO unless you are suggesting Tonga, Mongolia, the UAE and Azerbaijan have also joined NATO
@Gearóid Ó Fallamháin: read.the article nato led mission isaf means international security force Afghanistan its nato led mission sanctioned by nato
@Mark Dawson: you’re more ‘clued in’ yet you don’t understand who is and who isn’t a member for the North Atlantic treaty organization… that’s NATO, by the way lad.
@Mark Dawson: isaf is just the fancy name for the collective of countrys involved
@Hurt Stoogie: im well aware what nato stands for I served in a nato member country but if you believe we aint defacto members you not so clued in irish troops serve in nato led missions regularly so how can u say we aint wen over 200 alone served in afgan under nato
@Mark Dawson: we aren’t in nato. I don’t say, nato charter and membership does, as does the military chiefs and government.
@Mark Dawson: I was out in Afghanistan a few years ago. There were 7 of us. We acted on behalf of the Irish Ambassador to Pakistan who has responsibility for Afghanistan. It’s the way it’s done when it’s too expensive to have an embassy in that country.
@Hurt Stoogie: we joined a NATO sub organisation called partnership for peace many years ago. The sky didn’f fall.
@Mark Dawson: I did read the article. Just because we chose to volunteer on a specific mission doesn’t make us a NATO member, de facto or de jure. As I said, if we are in NATO due to the ISAF mission, so are Tonga and Mongolia. Which is to say, of course we arent
@Mark Dawson: I know what its like to be at the wrong end of a firearm,I didn’t request your service history and as you should know don’t volunteer one.
I fail to see what the big deal is. We should play our part as a nation of the world and to call us neutral is a joke. How many military planes from the east have we allowed land in shannon on their way to invade somewhere?
@David Huston: you have enough already as a legacy of the troubles.
Do you really think the Irish are the new chosen people?
@Dermot Killian: chosen for what exactly.
When our government allowed foreign troops and ordinance through Shannon Airport that was the beginning of the end of Irelands neutrality.
@Abe Brennan:
Anyone can do that. The Americans simply use it the most.
If Russia wanted to land cargo planes full of military supplies in Shannon, we would allow it under the exact same rules.
@Thought for Food: We would never allow russians to land military planes in Ireland. Which planet do you live on?
And the rules? The rules are not enforced as the planes are not checked.
@Abe Brennan: read your history. We were returning allied airmen and their aircraft as early as 1943. To declare your self as neutral you need to be able to defend that neutrality. Hence we have never been neutral. Our status is better defined as non aligned.
@Abe Brennan. Nowhere in the Constitution is it stated that Ireland is to be a neutral country.
@Andy K: Shannon was the base for Russian flights to Cuba for many years. The Russians even had a fuel depot there – if memory serves me correctly.
Anyone can ask for landing or overfly permission but aircraft carrying specific declared items are sometimes refused if I remember correctly
@Abe Brennan: allowed? Past tense??? Today – yes today, american terrorists are passing through shannon on their way to murdering children in the middle east
@jon-boy55:
US military action is aimed at killing Islamic militants and other mass-murdering entities, e.g. the Assad regime, and the killing of civilians in that military action is unintentional.
@Paul Murphy: nonaligned yes but very happy to enjoy the security provided by others.
Attempts at expressing moral superiority fails on deaf ears.
@jon-boy55: American terrorist. That’s an accusation I never expected.
Irish born, USN military doctor retired and served in Afghanistan, the Middle East, and Haiti in their hour of need. Passed through Shannon on several occasions. Airport facilities reasonable pleasant if not enthusiastic.
For the most part the US military have been a force for good in my humble opinion over the ages.
We do not get it right all the time but who does but at least we do try and suffer personal consequences as a result.
Don’t think for one minute We appreciate your remark.
Who exactly deserves your endorsement Jon-boy55?
@Martin Critten: it should be. A political stance and guarantee should absolutely be concretely defined in the Bunreacht instead of ridiculous deference to religious idols and other unconstitutional matters
I said exactly this would happen back during the Lisbon treaty and Lisbon treaty 2.0, and my friends said I was ridiculous for even thinking like that. Well, here we are.
I’m a fan of the EU but this is outrageous.
There is no way we would be “allowed to choose to do only peacekeeping or training”. Look at our geographical position. You know what they want us for.
@Veronica: how exactly would we be forced into it? There would have to be both a change to the EU treaty, which would require a referendum, and a change to legislation, which would require an oireachtas vote.
@Veronica: The EU is disgusting and anti-democratic. It’s high time we leave before it becomes a military powerhouse and we become a target for terrorists and nukes. If the EU doesn’t reform back to strictly trade agreements and remains the federal government of Europe we should leave.
@Daniel Donovan: We will not be leaving the EU Daniel. I’m not even saying that in support of the EU. It is just a hard fact for you – for the foreseeable future, we are staying in the EU.
Amazing hearing this the same week we have military wives camping outside the Dail to highlight the financial poverty of numerous army families! If Ireland is going to be pulled into a NATO style force people should be given the right to approve/disapprove of the plan.
@John Campbell: When they are actually participating in proper army activities like the rest of Europe, their argument for better pay will carry a lot more credibility.
@Neal Ireland Hello.: they do participate in proper army activities and their pay is shocking
@Neal Ireland Hello.: idiot.how about top cover.for coast guard transport of sick.kids.uk un.missions prisoners escort portlaois.prison security bomb disposal on average last year called out 3′times a day.arw.covert.ops with gardai ,.fishery protection and.boarding drug ships pilot garda chopper ,.central bank and dail security presidential escort I can.go on so educate.before.judging
What the Fine Gael government is also not telling you (they are not telling you a lot of things) is that for 2018, the party has budgeted €946,000,000 (Million) for new arms spending to that it can be part of the new EU army that it says “…it won’t be a part of and that Ireland is still neutral”.
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Two years later, that arms spending will rise to €3,000,000,000 (Billion) by 2020.
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The European Defence Agency who is buying all the weaponry for our soldiers – including many living on the breadline and social welfare assistance – is demanding that Ireland pay its contribution for a new arms race is has already embarked upon.
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UnitedPeople has been reporting on this matter for some time and you will find on the UP website exact details (names, dates, places, etc) of how Ireland is already part of the new EU army – despite what Fine Gael and others are telling you when they say it isn’t!
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Ireland is to be buried deep in the EU army under a nondescript title called Pesco (Permanent Structured Cooperation) agreement. Were you government informed or permitted a vote on this by the way?
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Leo Varadkar, Simon Coveney, and even one Mr Kehoe along with TD’s such as Fergus O’Dowd and more, are not telling the people of Ireland any of this at national or local level.
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“SHUSH… Mums the word.” You’re not supposed to know!
@Unitedpeople: any citations so I can read up on all these claims?
@James O Malley:
1. See: Page seven of the Irish Times: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/government-hopes-to-engage-ireland-in-new-eu-military-framework-1.3284395
2. The Irish Independent ran with additional details the next day buried away on page 26.
3. The Phoenix Magazine (1st December edition) and previous ones.
4. http://www.unitedpeople.ie/the-eu-army/
All that FG, Labour and Fianna Fail are not telling you about… All the names, dates, places, agreements signed, the wording, the proposed spending, the already spent – and more.
@Unitedpeople: So we are “not supposed to know” but you cite the 2 Irish broadsheet articles. Lol
@Honeybadger197:
* Is the matter being raised in the Dail?
* Is the matter being raised in the Seanad?
* Is RTE or TV3 reporting this?
* Is any of the national radio stations reporting ANY of this?
* Is any of your independent stations (who by the way, get their news supplied by contract, to them by NewsTalk News Agency – owned by Denis O’Brien) telling you any of this?
* Is your national elected TD’s telling you this?
* Is your local, same party affiliated elected telling you any of this?
So when you are given just some sources to begin with and want to avoid them, you them decide to make it look like you are being kept well informed?
Time to wake up.
@Honeybadger197: We weren’t to ‘know’ about Francis Fitzgerald either. That was in the broadsheets too, but the devil was in the detail that finally came out last two weeks. FG are not trustworthy. And when you get a bogman like Kehoe as defense minister you can be sure he’s being played by bo th Europe and his own bosses.
@Honeybadger197:
@Father Hody Commody: 100% right.
@Unitedpeople: I was actually interested in links to the arms spending claim of 1 billion, increasing to 3 billion per annum. That’s on arms alone. Not the actual army budget. So, have you any links to this please?
@Unitedpeople: The defence budget for 2018 is €946 million of this figure €239
million is to pay Defence Force pensions (12,300 Defence Force pensioners) that leaves €707 million to pay and provision the Defence Forces and replace equipment (approx €170 million after payroll costs), I don’t know where you are getting your figures from.
@James O Malley: I posted one link above to a Phoenix article.
@John Kennedy: …And if you bother to read the article already provided, you will see it clear stated “NEW EU defence budget of €1.5 Billion per year” (up from €590 Million per annum. /end quote
This is ON TOP of the already payments to be made for closer to home purposes. To quote the article again: “Quite how Varadkar, Kehoe and the government can justify a leap of defence spend from the current €946 million budgeted for 2018 to something like €3 Billion+ by 2020 will be interesting to behold.”
@Unitedpeople: wasting your time on the willfully blind.
@Misanthrope: do you know anyone on here judgey?? Or do you just like sticking your beak in and acting high and mighty? Fccuking peacock
@Unitedpeople: links to stuff behind pay walls is useless. Surely more than one publication is spoke of this?
@Unitedpeople: Those figures are for the European fund, not for our defence spending there’s a big difference. Yes there is planned defence capital spending increase over the next 4 years but that’s because our capital needs just to stay still (200 million at least for Eithne’s replacement and about 100 million for the CASA replacements), there’s no sign of the DOD actually allowing anyone to actually spend more than basic amounts on Defence and even if they did the DOF would block it).
Meanwhile of course for all your scaremongering the actual capabilities of the DF are getting ever less.
Brexit is largely a smokescreen – with PESCO, US style federalist governance comes to Europe. The main point about this is the centralised procurement system, the big pot of money. Think of the states in America…smaller states need to attract military companies to stay afloat. Once the EU creates a centralised budget structure for this military union we are effectively in a federalised new model european union which looks a lot like the system of governance in America. Simon Coveney Bilderberg member comes good for his globalist handlers.
Why do we even have an army? Surely a few lads with big trucks, wellies and experience in flood relief could do the exact same job.
@Chicken George: Danny Healy Rae?
@Chicken George: always some clown with a stupid comment or probably couldnt hack the army
What I’m about to say may be viewed as controversial and it is, of course, just my opinion, but it’s 2017; in light of what’s going on in the world ( extremism, North Korea, WOMD) – we should disband our official neutrality, expand and ramp up training of our Military, be a part of the establishment of an EU army and set the tone that Ireland does not accept terrorism and while fight for the rights. What can’t just sit idol while all of this is happening around us.
@Rob Hopkins: totally agree we sat by in ww2 while rest of Europe fought and died for all of Europe’s freedom its time we stood up and be counted
@Rob Hopkins: be part of an EU army….why exactly? Would you then agree to conscription if the time came? Terrorism is what joining an EU army will bring us. We should be down sizing militaries not upsizing.
@Mark Dawson: who sat by? Irishmen served in both wars with more than 30k killed in the first world war and around 4000 in the second world war. Irishmen should never be put in the line of fire for a foreign country unless those brave men volunteer. Fight and die for your country fair enough but fighting for an EU where Ireland has not antagonised anyone is madness. When the time comes you can send your kids to their death all you want but the Irish state should not be forcing your kids to war.
@Rob Hopkins: I agree with you and I don’t think it’s controversial at all. If we are going to continue to be part of the EU then we have to be prepared to defend it. Our army are prepared to defend Ireland are they not. With EU funding the issues that the army face with regard to pay and conditions would change and it would give good employment to thousands of young people. I agree with Ireland joining an EU Army but only to defend the EU and it’s citizens, not acting as a self appointed worldwide police force like the US.
@John Phelan: Yep, 100% agree. Though the only concern I’d have is conscription, if we could that out I’d be happier. Basically, it’s just that I don’t want to be called up! :/
@Rob Hopkins: not a bad idea to take the side of the hand that feeds you. Otherwise go trade with Russia and perhaps North Korea.
@Rob Hopkins: how is involvement in an EU army going to help with Terrorism?
I certainly don’t see any benefit in relation to the prevention of terrorist acts in Ireland or Europe for that matter.
Armies are deployed in response to terrorist incidents. I’d say they have little or no impact in terms of prevention beyond any level of intelligence gathering they may be involved in.
Absolutely, we should have an armed force which is capable of responding to internal threats in Ireland and we should cooperate closely with intelligence agencies and police forces in Europe but it sounds like you have been watching too much Fox news.
I’d imagine what the Irish gov says to Donald tusk, and what they say to the Irish people are two vastly different things. FG selling out, deceiving their own people again, just like the property problem.
Also tusk is supporting the Irish gov on the ni border. There’s a price to pay for that, but Leo wouldn’t dare tell the Irish public his gov has to support an EU army in return.
Has anyone considered if there are Brexit implications for the arrangement with the British military whereby they can intercept aircraft within our airspace. It was introduced in the wake of 9/11 I believe.
@Tom: MI5 can spy on any Irish citizen, be that tapping your phone or internet. That was brought in when they were found out to have tapped an undersea Irish internet cable and cut it by accident. They were due in court over that but they quickly brought in a law alloing it. It was a side story in the Irish Times a few years back.
@Andy K: They are all watching us…..
@Andy K: MI5 and 6 can spy on anyone they want, that’s their job.
Irish neutrality is a farce. It is also spineless. Pretending to be neutral while demonstrating bias towards one side is hypocritical and dishonest. Have the courage of your convictions and speak up, or forever be the sneaky little kid cowering in the corner of the playground.
@Dr Richard DeWitt: Exactly! Either we become properly neutral or we shut up about it.
@Andy K: Go ask the Swiss how much actual neutrality costs.
@Honeybadger197: we are non aligned and our political class should be shouting this from the rooftops and denouncing any possible EU army. We don’t need to be part of this…it has the potential to put a target on our backs and risk our youth if some military action did happen.
@Cathal S Byrne: they only reason you enjoy your peace today is the fact people died to keep Hitler from your door – fine criac isn’t it.
@Martin Critten: whats your point? To ensure that we always have peace we have to commit to an EU army?
The public cannot believe a fg politician,as recently proven over and over.this is Germanys EU army in all but name.
In a perfect world, there would be no war. In an imperfect world, we need to stand up and be counted. We cannot and should not expect others to continue to fill the gaps in our defensive capabilities. We should ensure that solid criteria are in place to prevent unjustified wars. Learn from the mistakes of the past and plan a better future. I see the main role of any European army as defense driven and not war mongering. Think positive and be realistic.
@D Writer: you’re right… we should stand up and be counted. Our political class should be denouncing any EU army plan and calling in to question our vote on the Lisbon Treaty to make a point.
@D Writer: Bring it a further step. We shouldn’t be sending aid to poorer countries. Let them stand up and be counted and he,p themselves. Eh?
And this one! Common EU tax and welfare from the SPD
@number24eu: That will not pass, but at the same time we must face the truth that Ireland is a tax haven.
We’ll isin’t that a Po#xy idea. Give the EU the right to send our country men and woman off to fight wars started at the behest of American ideals of make the world a democracy and steel “offending” nations oil and natural resources in the bargain. All while the families of these soldiers are at home struggling to makes ends meet because of the s*it wages they are being paid. It’ll be like the American politicians sending Americans off to be slaughtered while none of their sons and daughters will be serving. The TDs will look after their own interests as usual.
This is part of the EUSSR’s masterplan. Militarise an entire politcal union. Surely this takes away Ireland’s neutral stance?
Ireland is not neutral. The Government like to claim we are but we do support the logistics of war of one side without checking what they are doing. Thats like allowing hitler to carry jews through your country while claiming neutrality.
@Andy K: and there it is. Godwin’s law.
NEXT!!
@Chicken George: Ah yes, even when its people who are transported to be tortured and slaughtered there is no similarity or relevance to history.
@Chicken George: do you think we should join an EU army when it happens Andy?
Lol! Most of the comments here originate from ignorance. We have always been involved in NATO missions and partnership missions like INTERNET. You keyboard warriors are so full of it! Co-operation and cross-training with other armies has brought the Army forward 30 years with new tactical and operational experience. It’s how things are done, armies are expensive and are constantly in need of the latest equipment and firepower. You lot are forgetting the deployment to the Congo, where the government at the time threw ill-equipped troops into a murderous colonial civil war. UN, NATO,TASK FORCES…they are all risky. Sinn Fein would only have the army involved in UN Missions. They are a joke, poor command and control, flakey back-up and rules of engagement that leave our troops throwing rocks at very dangerous opponents. I have participated in many such Missions, I went hungry and thirsty on a lot of them, anyone who has served will understand. I’m tired of hearing politicians drone on about how great the DF record is with UN Missions. What about KFOR, SFOR, AFGHAN, MALI, TIMOR, CHAD? We are not neutral, we greedily accept any funds we are due from the EU as a full member. Yet we baulk at the thought of deploying our troops in a war zone. So which is it folks? We are already doing it so take your heads out of the sand!
@Fred Conlan: how did a coming together of countries in Europe for better trading turn in to this country having to contribute to what is essentially a foreign army?? Where and when did anyone sign up for that? If having to send Irishmen to defend someone else’s foreign policy is required for membership we have to really start looking at our membership.
Stay neutral ireland we dont want our children going to war
I remember hysterical Sinn Fein saying we’d all be conscripted into an EU army during the Maastricht treaty debate. I see they’re still hysterical.
@Shane Gleeson: not an SF at all but do you not think conscription could happen in the future if an EU army was formed?
@Cathal S Byrne: No, there’s a wide range of views on Conscription in the EU nations (Germany for example has ended the practice, while Sweden has reactivated it due to concerns over Russia).
They wouldn’t want our toy army anyway.
@Tedser: is that your vast experience talking there?
@Jack Crabbe: exactly
Sure they Won’t pay for the 1 we have Now
If they can find money to pay the gardai overtime for doing a normal days work but cant pay the defence forces a decent weeks wage or a shocking 20 euro for a 24 hr duty there will be no one going to any european army.
This is part of the price we will pay for being in the EU. The unelected such as Jean Claude Drunkard will see to that
Waste of time, FG’s long standing desire to be part of NATO and military alliances are completely at odds with what Irish people want. With countries like France aggressively involved in wars and foreign adventures in the ME which has brought terror to their citizens why the hell would we hitch ourselves to loose cannons like France? ill-conceived like everything about FG.
If we were attacked tomorrow by any country who would we turn to for help ? We couldn’t defend ourselves for a day. We only want the handouts. Think it was disgusting staying neutral in WW2 .
@Terry Cahill: Yeah in hindsight. Wasn’t so obvious in September 1939.
good , sign up immediately and pledge more than required , we can defend irish citizens in northern ireland post brexit
Would this mean our troops would get paid properly?
All those opt outs in Lisbon and nice we’re a rouse to get paddy into a federal Europe, with all that entails. The military are probably delighted because the only way they will be properly resourced is in the context of an EU army.
We’re not neutral, we just cant afford an army, but dont worry plenty of thick paddies will end up fighting for their new European masters. The decisions we make now could make our grandchildren no better than the British soilders who enforced the laws of the british aristocracy. If our government says the EU is good for us, then it cant be, because they are all fcuking liars,
Sure are the armed forces not all ready involved in over seas duties and distinguished themselves as the best there is
Great news we have plenty of elephant trackers who are great with ox guns for firing bull shit that can be sent at a days notice and the EU will pick up the tab.
Another moaning keyboard warrior! You should comment on the subject you seem to know best, yourself.
FG telling lies , no way ☺️
European Commission also thinks its stpe towards an EU Army https://twitter.com/eu_commission/status/931857545899139072
As a member of the EU should we at least have adult debate on this subject after which we either make a decision to play our part in some form of EU military force or remain neutral. Up to now the UK might have been expected to assist but with Brexit I’m not sure. Neutrality is not a cheap option particularly when you have no effective air cover? Why should other nations some poorer than Ireland be expected to put their armed forces at our disposal should something major happen?
Good news, but the sickening irony of Provisional SF’s Shrek complaining about the real Óglaigh na hÉireann!
@Stephen Kearon:
Stephen Kearon, Former Govt Special Adviser. Secretary Fianna Fáil Wicklow & District Cumann. Hibernia Forum supporter
and Anti Irish like the rest of FFFGLAB
have your say