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US President Donald Trump waves as he arrived at Shannon Airport, on Air Force Two for a visit to Ireland. Liam McBurney via PA Images

More than 2,500 Defence Forces personnel deployed for Trump and Pence visits

The end-of-year summary of defence and security operations in 2019 has been published.

MORE THAN 2,500 Defence Forces personnel were deployed during US President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence’s visits to Ireland this year.

The end-of-year summary of defence and security operations in 2019 from Irish Defence Forces details deployments including aid to civil authority operations and supporting An Garda Siochana, HSE, local authorities and other key agencies of the State.

The Army conducted more than 195 ‘aid to the civil power’ operations in support of An Garda Síochana, involving explosive ordnance disposal (bomb squad) callouts, prisoner escorts, explosive escorts, major cash escorts and search operations.

More than 336 personnel, including the engineer specialist search teams, were deployed to assist in 14 searches on request from An Garda Síochana this year.

In the summer, approximately 120 personnel were deployed to assist civil authorities during multiple operations, including combating gorse fires in Wicklow, Donegal and Mayo.

The Defence Forces deployed ambulances and crews on seven occasions throughout the year in Dublin, Cork and Kildare to assist the National Ambulance Service.

As the State’s principal seagoing agency, the Naval Service conducts maritime defence and security operations within a patrol area of 220 million acres of sea (12 times the landmass of Ireland), representing 15% of Europe’s fisheries.

The fleet conducted approximately 780 boarding operations and detained 12 vessels for alleged infringements of fishing regulations in support of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority.

The Naval Service Diving Section was deployed for 26 operations in 2019, including four separate search and recovery operations following requests from An Garda Síochana, and two requests from the Coast Guard.

The Air Corps completed more than 233 emergency aeromedical service missions, providing a medical service for seriously ill patients in isolated rural communities.

The Irish Defence Forces has the longest unbroken record of overseas service with the United Nations of any country in the world since first deploying to a United Nations mission in 1958.

In 2019, Defence Forces personnel served overseas on missions with the United Nations, Nato PfP (Partnership for Peace), EU and OSCE (Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe) peace support and security operations across 14 missions in 13 countries.

There are currently 595 Defence Forces personnel serving overseas.

The largest Defence Forces deployment is in South Lebanon with UNIFIL, where 338 Irish personnel are deployed to maintain a safe and secure environment.

Ireland currently has 138 personnel deployed with the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force in the Golan Heights, Syria.

Ireland currently has three personnel working in the operational headquarters of the EU Naval Force Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR-MED) on Operation Sophia in Rome.

The mission’s strategic objective is to disrupt organised criminal networks involved in illicit activities, including smuggling of migrants, human trafficking and terrorism.

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    Mute Dom Layzell
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    Dec 30th 2019, 9:32 PM

    Well done to all of our services, thank you for your very important work!

    215
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    Mute TamuMassif2019
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    Dec 30th 2019, 10:54 PM

    @Dom Layzell: The world would be better off without Trump and that is a fact because Trump is emotionally immature and a danger to climate change.

    36
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    Mute Nowa Huta
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    Dec 30th 2019, 11:42 PM

    @TamuMassif2019: that is a fact according to you??? Thank the lord we have a messiah in our ranks halejlullia halejlullia

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    Mute Dnom
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    Dec 31st 2019, 12:02 AM

    @TamuMassif2019: so says you but millions of Americans couldn’t care less about climate change. Their corporations are the most toxic on the planet

    18
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    Mute TamuMassif2019
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    Dec 31st 2019, 12:07 AM

    @Nowa Huta: Who, Trump the man of sin?

    6
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    Mute TamuMassif2019
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    Dec 31st 2019, 12:13 AM

    @Nowa Huta: Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction…
    Trump is doing his best…

    1
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    Mute Mike Murphy
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    Dec 31st 2019, 12:16 AM

    @TamuMassif2019: what has trump done that you dont like? Just a matter of interest

    33
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    Mute Caoimhín O Neill
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    Dec 31st 2019, 1:26 AM

    @Dnom: is that a fact? Which corps are the most toxic? I beg to differ actually.

    6
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    Mute TamuMassif2019
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    Jan 1st 2020, 12:41 AM

    @Mike Murphy: He’s a liar, a faker, an evil person, he steals, he corrupts and he’s evil, he insults people and children and is pure evil.

    1
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    Mute pat seery
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    Dec 30th 2019, 9:46 PM

    Just wondering how much they got paid in overtime Sorry it was the Garda that made the Bucks while the Army Lads were given Sandwiches

    158
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    Mute Rob67
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    Dec 30th 2019, 10:03 PM

    @pat seery: I never got overtime in all my years, just abuse, derisory comments and corn beef sandwiches. Watched the Gardai, from a water-filled ditch on the border, get picked up by bus and brought to a hotel for a hot meal. Guess they had better representation…

    121
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    Mute Rob67
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    Dec 30th 2019, 10:44 PM

    @Gerry Cummins: do we know each other? You seem to have hard on for me. Thanks doll, but I don’t swing that way.

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    Mute Rob67
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    Dec 30th 2019, 10:47 PM

    @Gerry Cummins: Did I arrest you at some point or put you on a charge for some misdemeanor? I was an NCO for most of my time, perhaps you are jealous I got in and you failed?

    50
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    Mute Aonghus OReilly
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    Dec 30th 2019, 11:21 PM

    @Rob67: Dont worry to much about it Rob, he wouldnt have used the word Forces if he had been involved.

    32
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    Mute Rob67
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    Dec 30th 2019, 11:30 PM

    @Aonghus OReilly: True!!

    22
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    Mute Vladimir Macro
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    Dec 30th 2019, 11:32 PM

    @pat seery: 60 euro after tax for 72 hrs on the job.

    13
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    Mute Gerry Cummins
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    Dec 31st 2019, 12:16 AM

    @Rob67: How could you arrest me? You are a nobody! Lol

    4
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    Mute Rob67
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    Dec 31st 2019, 5:27 AM

    @Gerry Cummins: My error; thinking you may have served in the DF. I was a Military Police NCO and thought you had an axe to grind if we had crossed paths. Then again, I obviously hadn’t because I rarely forget a face and in your case Kermit, you are unforgettable.

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    Mute Jim O Brien - TechBuzz Ireland
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    Dec 31st 2019, 10:27 AM

    @Gerry Cummins: and who the hell are you making assumptions sad little man

    6
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    Mute Rob67
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    Dec 31st 2019, 11:12 AM

    @Gerry Cummins: still drunk, I see! Never bothered me, never will. You on the other hand, seem very bothered. As this now becoming a personal vendetta for you, I would advise restraint.

    6
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    Mute Damien Barton
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    Dec 30th 2019, 9:42 PM

    Good give them something to keep them busy

    37
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    Mute Micheal
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    Dec 30th 2019, 9:50 PM

    @Damien Barton: stick to your trucks and little bikes Damo, there’s a good little fella, flute.

    69
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    Mute Rob67
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    Dec 30th 2019, 9:55 PM

    @Damien Barton: errant thoughts spoken in ignorance often betray the level of intellect employed by the speaker.

    59
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    Mute Gerry Cummins
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    Dec 30th 2019, 10:16 PM

    @Rob67: yeah I got you a conversation back!

    4
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    Mute Rob67
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    Dec 30th 2019, 10:41 PM

    @Gerry Cummins: and you delivered a secondary example of when you have nothing important/ relevant to say, keep quiet… I don’t believe you will as I would guess you may have a difficulty in that area.

    28
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    Mute Damien Barton
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    Dec 31st 2019, 2:39 AM

    @Rob67: don’t get you knickers in a twist good girl

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    Mute Damien Barton
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    Dec 31st 2019, 2:41 AM

    @Rob67: as you can
    See I don’t really care

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    Mute Rob67
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    Dec 31st 2019, 5:49 AM

    @Damien Barton: a troll must do what a troll does, I see that for sure. If your feelings were truly hurt you would never have lashed out like you just did…

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    Mute Damien Barton
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    Dec 31st 2019, 5:51 AM

    @Rob67: so true

    1
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    Mute Rob67
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    Dec 31st 2019, 7:00 AM

    @Damien Barton: why? You afraid they won’t fit you anymore?

    3
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    Mute Rob67
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    Dec 31st 2019, 7:03 AM

    @Micheal: question; why do certain men ride scooters?
    Answer; So they can feel the wind on their vaginas…

    11
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    Mute Damien Barton
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    Dec 31st 2019, 7:13 AM

    @Rob67: forgive me but I you list me what won’t fit me?

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    Mute Damien Barton
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    Dec 31st 2019, 7:14 AM

    @Damien Barton: yes I know mistake

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    Mute Damien Barton
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    Dec 31st 2019, 7:18 AM

    @Rob67: what about harleys? I have one of them aswell

    1
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    Mute Rob67
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    Dec 31st 2019, 7:52 AM

    @Damien Barton: Ah, Harley’s are lovely bikes, so many jokes… prefer the Pan’s myself.

    4
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    Mute Rob67
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    Dec 31st 2019, 7:53 AM

    @Damien Barton: wasn’t going to mention it…

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    Mute Damien Barton
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    Dec 31st 2019, 8:21 AM

    @Rob67: no need I did

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    Mute Damien Barton
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    Dec 31st 2019, 8:22 AM

    @Rob67: overrated to be honest and over priced but they do hold value well

    1
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    Mute Joseph Molloy
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    Dec 30th 2019, 9:39 PM

    Waste money and services.

    28
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    Mute Rob67
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    Dec 30th 2019, 9:53 PM

    @Joseph Molloy: absolutely, Trump is a waste of money and resources.

    57
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    Mute Gerry Cummins
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    Dec 30th 2019, 10:15 PM

    @Rob67: are you too thick to differentiate between a person an the office they hold?

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    Mute Rob67
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    Dec 30th 2019, 10:37 PM

    @Gerry Cummins: who rattled your cage? Are you a Trumpette? Are you too thick to recognise humour?

    26
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    Mute Eric Ryan
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    Dec 30th 2019, 10:40 PM

    @Gerry Cummins: you seem to have some sort of agenda with rob???

    34
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    Mute Rob67
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    Dec 30th 2019, 10:55 PM

    @Eric Ryan: No idea what his issue is but we run into these types regularly: Shoot first, think later!!

    20
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    Mute Caoimhín O Neill
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    Dec 31st 2019, 1:31 AM

    @Gerry Cummins: I find that “lol” doesn’t suit your profile picture.

    10
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    Mute Damien Barton
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    Dec 31st 2019, 2:42 AM

    @Rob67: I love trump he’s the best

    4
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    Mute Rob67
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    Dec 31st 2019, 5:22 AM

    @Gerry Cummins: when you sober up, I am sure you will realise what a tool you were. Judging from the Facebook profile you link to your account here, you are a long term member of the Miss Lonely Hearts club, so a loser is the least of my problems.

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    Mute Rob67
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    Dec 31st 2019, 6:47 AM

    @Gerry Cummins: ‘We’ as in normal people…

    4
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    Mute Rob67
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    Dec 31st 2019, 6:59 AM

    @Damien Barton: once you are happy, it is not my place to say otherwise.

    2
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    Mute Damien Barton
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    Dec 31st 2019, 7:16 AM

    @Rob67: thanks so much have you noting to be at on New Year’s Eve morning other than replying to 24 hour comments on here? And before you ask my answer is no

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    Mute Rob67
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    Dec 31st 2019, 7:55 AM

    @Damien Barton:

    1
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    Mute RJ.Fallon
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    Dec 31st 2019, 10:04 AM

    @Rob67: When you two are finished bitchslapping each other maybe you will get back to the subject.

    2
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    Mute Gerry Cummins
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    Dec 31st 2019, 10:29 AM

    @Damien Barton: Be careful he might arrest you..lol..I think he thinks he has imaginary powers!

    1
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    Mute Gerry Cummins
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    Dec 31st 2019, 10:39 AM

    @Caoimhín O Neill: At least I have one! Lacking some confidence there are we? Lol

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    Mute Rob67
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    Dec 31st 2019, 11:15 AM

    @RJ.Fallon: more than happy to do so, I grow tired of it.

    What is your take on the a/m report?

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    Mute Red Pirate 71
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    Dec 30th 2019, 11:35 PM

    Entirely unnecessary and underutilized. Spend the money on health and housing. An army that couldn’t defend the country even in the entirely circumstances of an invasion. No Air Force. We rely on UK. Soldiers in poverty. No true fighting capability. The Irish army is nothing but a remnant of our military past. Where the only war they have fought has been against Irishmen. Disband it.

    21
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    Mute Mike Murphy
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    Dec 30th 2019, 11:56 PM

    @Red Pirate 71: what have you done in your life? Just a question?

    28
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    Mute Richard Griffin
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    Dec 31st 2019, 12:47 AM

    @Red Pirate 71: you obviously have no idea of the role of the Defence Forces within the state.

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    Mute Rob67
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    Dec 31st 2019, 6:56 AM

    @Red Pirate 71: I love armchair generals, please, tell us of your extensive personnel management skills and how you would redistribute 8000 plus, highly skilled, motivated military personnel.

    11
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    Mute Rob67
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    Dec 31st 2019, 7:08 AM

    @Red Pirate 71: Just looked at your twitter profile, funniest pictures I have ever seen! Is that you holding the rifle? Really?

    10
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    Mute ros aodha
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    Dec 31st 2019, 11:06 AM

    @Red Pirate 71:
    Don’t be so disingenuous
    The current state of the defence forces is not BECAUSE of the public servant soldiers of the defence forces, it is because of the Govt Department that runs the military, which is run by non soldier civil servants, its also because of subsequent governments ignoring the fact that a sovereign state should have a military that is equipped and funded properly to enable it to monitor and defend its territory and environment.

    We have one of the largest oceanic territories in North Western Europe yet one of the smallest Navy’s. Not the fault of the Navy, its the fault of all the previous and the current governments who have ignored Whitepapers and recommendations to enlarge it and equip it to carry out their primary role. Patrol and Defend our seas and oceans and protect our natural maritime resources. The same goes for the Air corps and Army. We have a massively tech dependent economy and workforce and zero yes ZERO cyber defence or offence military capability due to lack of govt and dept interest in retaining and training cyber defence personnel. A grown up country does these things and many countries with smaller GDP’s than Ireland.

    We have the lowest defence spend as a percentage of GDP in the EU.If you disbanded the defence forces tomorrow and rolled its annual budget into health, it would pay for just under half a children’s hospital or run the HSE for about 4 weeks. Dept of Defence budget is under 1Bn euro per year.

    The fault lies with the Department, now only a mini department under the aegis of the Dept of the Taoiseach and its also the dept where civil servants go to die. It should be central to our govt and one of the most important departments along with Justice and Health. The Chief of Staff should have full control of his / her budget instead of leaving militarily critical equipment purchasing decisions up to civil servants who lack any credible military experience and make choices based on the lowest price bidder.

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    Mute Pauline Cahill
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    Dec 31st 2019, 9:39 AM

    They use the defense forces but still won’t pay them a good wage

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    Mute Mark V
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    Dec 30th 2019, 9:38 PM

    What a waste of money for two utterly useless politicians.

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    Mute Alan McArdle
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    Dec 30th 2019, 9:41 PM

    @Mark V: hook, line and sinker.

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    Mute RJ.Fallon
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    Dec 31st 2019, 10:16 AM

    @Mark V: That may be true but under the law ,the State is responsible for the protection of such visitors.whether we like it or not,it had to be done.

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    Mute Rob67
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    Dec 31st 2019, 11:22 AM

    @RJ.Fallon: having been there and done that, it does seem an unnecessary drain on resources to the uninitiated (not their fault, it is a matter for public relations to redress) however the experience and practical application of learned skills is invaluable throughout a military career and can be just as valuable in the private sector. Agree or disagree?

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    Mute Cormac Ó Braonáin
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    Dec 31st 2019, 5:42 PM

    @RJ.Fallon: something’s telling me that the extent and sheat numbers of military personnel was a demand by the Yanks as opposed to brown-nosing by the Irish State. Mind you, that would be entirely believable also.

    1
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