I have a feeling the specifics will be gone over in multiple sub-threads, but let's use this for discussion of the report in one neat place, shall we?
Horrible-looking link to the PDF, but it works.
Nah, its the CVN that’s the sticking point I think.
If Coveney had stuck with the F18s and not asked for the F35s we would not have had this problem
If DPER gets out of the way…
According to the Journal this Morning Next week we will know the plan
I think that since his trip to the Ukraine Coveney has turned a bit more hawkish on military matters ( by Irish standards anyway)
Coveney in Defence Questions seems to indicated within the next two weeks for the recommendations, guessing from the answer getting sign off from the Cabinet is still the sticking point. Also seems the first confirmation that the NS is getting rebranded, presuming the AC will get renamed as well.
We're not getting any. The best fit for our requirements is a couple of them Smaller German subs which can operate in littoral waters as well as deep sea. Not needed straight away.
First up is to upgrade the 4 OPVS on a phased basis as they come up for quarter life heavy maintenance/ refit.
Next is acquiring a decent frigate with flexibility to do non military roles as well.
Next is acquiring 2 meko 100 corvettes or similar.
But where will we put our nuclear submarines?🙄
Would generate a ton in employment and be a great economic benefit for the area going forward.
Ideal spot for a new facility for Air and Sea forces. Refurbish the runway and airfield, complete with bomb proof shelters for the new fighter jets and build a port facility for the East Coast naval detachment, capable of handling larger ships in the frigate/ destroyer range and larger for visiting aircraft carriers etc.
Nope they want every CM of gormanston
https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2021-11-18/88/
It looks like the Days of Gormanston may actually be over in the long term . I taught the port for Bremore was pie in the sky stuff but engineering and planning teams have just being appointed
The only reason i mention it is i spoke with a former colleague at the weekend an he had said there was talk around the political circles in the town about it happening. Apperently many people in the town still feel bitter over the barracks closing
An as for the two ministers the only logic would be votes as they could say they brought 300 jobs back to the town in time for the next election
As stupid as things may seem anything is possabile with the people we elected in this country
I see Former FG TD Naughton is talking up Athlone being Army HQ in the article attached below.
But Since this country is built on Parish Pump Politics and the no.1 aim of a TD is to get reelected is there any chance that the 2 mullingar based Ministers who dont have any real votes in Athlone would try and get Mullingar Barracks reopened an made Army HQ with Athlone getting the chop. I know the LDA are looking to redevelop the barracks but i believe there is a lot of locals against this
Would a stroke for votes be pulled like this?
https://www.westmeathindependent.ie/2022/06/20/naughten-calls-for-progress-on-proposed-army-hq-in-athlone/
When they where looking for a replacement site for harcourt street did they ever look at McKee?
I would not be suprised if the Garda bosses had there eye on Mckee for them selfs
The messing over state sites that is coming out today around housing i would say not only is CB days numbered McKee should be looking over there shoulders
This is a great piece which confronts a lot of the points trotted out in defence of the status quo:
- Concept that we're safe because we're netural is "illiterate";
- That we are now threatened thanks to globalisation and exposure to cyber/data;
- That other countries will come to our aid is "cynical and quaint".
Are the DOJ being charged landing fees, Hangarage and crew fees for GASU?
According to the most recent DoD Annual Report, the appendix list of SLAs does mention several with the DoH and specifically the HSE for the Air Ambulance. If the DoD haven't been charging the net economic cost of this service, at the very least, then the Accounting Officer and her staff have very serious questions to answer.
Why have the DOD not being charging?
Oh absolutely. In my own humble opinion, the Air Corps shouldn't be next or near Air Ambulance or SAR work, except for DF personnel in service or as an ACP in case of major incident or large scale emergency.
Not necessarily. Having being involved in various public sector projects where one Agency or Authority performed a task or operation on behalf of another, the Service Level Agreement more often than not includes a cost to the customer party. Its a net zero consequence to the exchequer, sure, but the HSE will have a budget line for it.
In CoDF the HSE spoke in favour of the Air Corps continuing HEMS so thats why was wondering why they tendered for the south. Maybe the the air corps will give up on 112 and the contractor in the south could provide a base for the northern end of the country based out of maybe Knock or even Abbeyshrule which would be very central. An that would free up the fleet for Army duties
Not too mention you get back into the argument as to what the AC should actually be doing…
No, the Air Corps can't tender for anything as its not a competent authority for financial matters, the Dept of Defence is the only one that could.
But its obvious enough that the Air Corps scarcely has the resources to maintain the fixed and rotary wing services for which it is already responsible, let alone taking on new ones, especially ones requiring a new base and support infrastructure.
The HSE Munster HEMS can the air corps tender for that as a state body or the fact that its being tendered mean the Air Corps dont want or have the capacity to do it?
Indeed.
The US bought an earlier RAF disposal for just 29 million dollars. Though I'm sure that's a price among those of a very special relationship.
It would be a miracle for the DOD to move fast enough before those airframes are snatched up by someone else.
Leaving aside the terminology, which can get grey enough for smaller militaries, we need an aircraft type which will fulfill most of our needs, most of the time. It has to have high utility, reliability and durability, but we will never need anything like an A400M or larger.
C-295 73 troops, ~7 tonnes, very light vehicles.
C-27J 60 troops, ~12 tonnes, light/medium vehicles
C-130J 92 troops, ~20 tonnes, 3 x LTAVs or 1 x APC
With the wild unknowns of inflation, supply chain and materials shortages mess, any of the 3 above will be in the €50 million per unit ball park in a basic transport layout, assuming a second hand C-130J could be sourced from a careful previous and friendly owner.
