DPER versus Ireland

Many will know of the decades long underfunding of our Defence needs and the deliberate looting and redirection of Defence spending to pork barrel stuff. The Commission report recently outlined 3 options and the govt has made noises that it will find funds. It hasn’t said what option it’s going for.

Media reports that DPER are fighting the requested funds. Essentially a bunch of civil servants are trying to use their position to impose their view of what is needed for Defence, for upholding sovereignty and asserting independence and or alignment / neutrality. If DPER existed in the 60’s Donogh O’Malley would never have got education moving. I find it intolerable that civil servants think the funding priorities as established (built on the underfunding of Defence) are to be upheld. Or perhaps they are just being used by politicians to ensure that they can continue to fund their pet projects and continue to destroy sovereignty, independence and our ability to be such.

Brucie Bonus

The defense forces have been underfunded for a long time. Now, since Ukraine was invaded, this time, (Crimea was pretty much ignored and we refused to sanction Russia), rattling sabres is popular and our Leo is simply looking for a pat on the head from potential employers. Thats why all of a sudden after underfunding them for many many years, they are talking like they just got into government last week and just noticed.

Topgear on Dave

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119280371#Comment_119280371

The 2nd post in the thread. Defence is under Coveney. Taoiseach is Martin.

But something something Leo.

And then replying to another poster you say:

"Yet you are the person felt the need to come into the thread and post about Leo, with no point or comment on topic. Who's obsessed?"

This having brought Leo into it for no reason whatsoever in the 2nd post.

Whos obsessed?

You are Brucie

Brucie Bonus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119281422#Comment_119281422

You for one.

It was Varadkar, not Coveney, on about how we can't expect the U.S. or UK to protect us.

People desperate to turn fair comment into something else have the issue. I hope to God youse are in the least getting paid, otherwise, seek help.

https://m.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/leo-varadkar-confident-he-could-secure-a-yes-vote-for-ireland-to-join-eu-army-41708387.html

The topic was partly on why we do/don't fund the army. Here you are discussing Leo in the latest edition of 'why Leo?' , the podcast hosted by Daniel O'Donnell 'for the people who don't like Leo being commented on for things he says'.

Here's another...

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/oireachtas/varadkar-believes-ireland-should-join-new-eu-military-structure-1.3317621

Under funded for years and years, now our Leo is talking like he just got here.

Budget Parameters set out later today in Summer Statement. €2.2 billion extra spend planned. €1 billion in tax cuts and an unspecified amount for social welfare support for cost of living crisis. Looks like DPER have won.

Leaving aside the peripheral issue how do people see the breakdown of spend of the temporary windfall.

Brucie Bonus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119292555#Comment_119292555

Are you speaking for yourself? I'm quoting on topic. You came in to discuss Leo. Sorry, but the attempts by yourself and others to shut down discussing what Leo says only reflects on youse. Its cult like.

Ironically you are turning the thread into a Leo discussion.

ohnonotgmail

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119293561#Comment_119293561

you started the discussion about Leo in a thread about defence when he is neither Minister of Defence or Taoiseach. You then replied with links that are nothing to do with the defence review. the attempt at gaslighting is pathetic

blanch152

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119293677#Comment_119293677

The lack of self-awareness is stunning.

Dyr

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119293677#Comment_119293677

a) Varadker is Táinaiste

b)Varadker has no problem with giving his tupence halfpenny worth on everything bar his ministerial brief as he showed when he was Minister for Health

ohnonotgmail

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119293700#Comment_119293700

none of the Leo links posted were about the defence review. One of them predates the review. they were posted because brucie is obsessed with Leo.

Brucie Bonus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119293677#Comment_119293677

Whats pathetic is I brought Leo in regarding what he said about the Irish and the military and joining an EU army. I'm not the one coming in here to discuss the merits of mentioning Leo. I find it creepy that people get jumped on for mentioning things he said relating to threads. Take a good look at yourself.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119293717#Comment_119293717

It was regarding funding the military and how its currently being talked up after years of underfunding.

You feel the need to come in here to twist it into a Leo discussion. I was speaking on what he said relating to the topic. You are obsessed. As I said, its creepy behaviour.

You don't want to discuss the thread only that your Leo was quoted.

After decades of underfunding he's talking up military involvement because its hot right now and he wants a head pat and a job from the EU.

ohnonotgmail

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119294024#Comment_119294024

both links were regarding joining an EU army, not the defence review and increased spending.

Brucie Bonus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119294042#Comment_119294042

The topic was about how genuine any army spending might be. I believe its political. If you want to disagree be adult and do so. Your getting into a fit because Leo was quoted is creepy.

ohnonotgmail

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119294070#Comment_119294070

what is your opinion on the defence review? your opinion mind, not somebody elses.

Brucie Bonus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119294349#Comment_119294349

I gave my opinion on why funding the military is suddenly so important in political circles. I quoted a senior politician regarding the military.

I don't have to or am arsed justifying my comments or opinions to you. You came in here to discuss Leo. I will quote him wherever I deem it relevant. I will not be censored by the Leo police.

xxxxxxl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119281951#Comment_119281951

My god I actually agree with Mr Varadkar for once. Minimum should be NATO.

Brucie Bonus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119295727#Comment_119295727

I can't take him seriously tbh. The defense forces have been underfunded for years its just military is a hot button issue.

I think we are far too small to get involved in any action that makes us fair game. We are lucky we've not been bombed for letting the yanks use Shannon. We can hardly launder putins money while threatening him with our joining nato.

Beasty

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119294393#Comment_119294393

Let me make this clear. You have discussed Leo in each of your 7 posts in the thread. You have had your say on him. Now drop it

Yurt2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119280371#Comment_119280371

? Ireland was party to, and a supporter of the EU sanctions on Russia from 2014.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058252743/dper-versus-ireland

The role of DPER is to minimise waste and to ensure that govt funds are well used.

This means they piss off everyone as they get a say in all expenditure, this is no different.

Jim2007

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058252743/dper-versus-ireland

In what parallel universe do you think Ireland could spend enough to be militarily independent????

At this stage it is widely accepted that defence forces staff are under paid, but whether or not the defence forces as whole is underfunded depends on the policies the country wants to pursue and is a political decision. So yes political and civil service involvement is absolutely correct. The purpose of the DPER is to act as a critical review of public spending and budgeting and no department deserves a free pass.

Giving up any part of our ways of governing the country in the service of your idea of sovereignty and independence is not acceptable, since the purpose of defence forces is to allow us to enjoy our democracy not limit it.