DF Commission Report

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

When they where looking for a replacement site for harcourt street did they ever look at McKee?

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

Nope they want every CM of gormanston

https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2021-11-18/88/

Would generate a ton in employment and be a great economic benefit for the area going forward.

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.

I think that since his trip to the Ukraine Coveney has turned a bit more hawkish on military matters ( by Irish standards anyway)

If DPER gets out of the way…

Nah, its the CVN that’s the sticking point I think.

The Bremore Port project is a brain child of an east Coast medium port but will need heavy Investor Capital. Ideally port development should be in national hands with no possibility of exclusivity. All national ports should have a dedicated serviced berth for State ships or ships authorised to use such a berth when available such as CIL and Maritime Institute vessels. I mentioned before that in older Harbour Acts there was provision for a berth available at the discretion of the Minister of marine. The crucial decisions must include making the Port big enough and include decent breakwaters to cover all weather usage. They should also consider provision of ship repair and drydocking facilities to replace the losses in Dublin. Ideally two floating docks up to 125 metres and 250 metres.

Making it big enough now with sufficient depth at LWS and sufficient berthage for commercial shipping such as 4 x 150m, 4 x 250m berths with 12m to 14m depth alongside. Suitable smaller berths for coastal shipping and harbour tugs and pilot boats is also needed . For waiting ships a safe anchorage has to be designated.

Lastly with increasing interest on harbours a proper VTS system needs to be inaugurated for the Irish side of the Irish Sea. It is obvious this should be a government project and not a debacle.

It’s the only reason, though the backers seem to think such a massive infrastructure realignment would somehow be quick or simple.

Or some of the stupid rebuttal pieces they have as well.

Tomorrow the Government is to announce the new investment in the Defence Forces. It would seem they are to increase the budget by €500 million from the current €1bn by 2028. This would imply c€85 million extra per annum cumulatively going into the base over 6 years. It is unclear whether this is CapEX only, or includes current spending, which would be increasing anyway thru expended pay increases etc.

Prior to the Defence Commission report there has been announcement last of some modest increases in CapEX - the question is whether the €85 million includes this, or is in addition to this - my guess is the former.

It seems this is bringing spending to Level 2 of ambition, which to be fair is the bare minimum for any level of capability. I see some commentators see this as not going far enough - Level 3 is would bring us to close to where our peers are. This announcement has been delayed - clearly there was push back by D/Public Expenditure - I am sure it will be indicated the capacity to absorb additional investment doesn't exist - probably true in terms of the current organisation, a considerable infrastructural investment programme competing when the construction sector is at full capacity, not to mention buying equipment when militaries across Europe are investing. A six year 'ramp-up' to where we should be can be seen either two ways - the organisation is so denuded it simply could not cope, or a reflection of where it sits in terms of political priorities .....

Of course its so denuded it cannot cope. That ought not be a surprise to anyone here, or any DF member, or any representative body, or any commentator of military affairs in Ireland.

It may come as a surprise to the plain people of Ireland, who take such things for granted and maybe also to certain officials in DoD and DPER, who don't really care.

But to address your point, you have to build capacity before you build capability.

The very first job, is to agree the new command and force structures in the CoDF recommendations and enable them. The second, is to draw up an operational plan for each element and to timetable the resourcing. Only then can they begin sourcing manpower and procuring technology and facilities.

My take on the budget increase is that the ~€85m p.a. will be additional to previously announced CapEx, as its for elements contained in the report not previously enabled by the Department. And yes, some of it is bound to be going on additional pay and pensions, because they must arrest the retention crisis and also attract new entrants.

Realistically though, the DF is in such bad shape, that reaching LoA2 will take much longer than 5 years and given inflation in procurement and operational costs, will probably need a 2 billion budget in today's money by 2030, not a 1.5 billion one.

Running to stand still just became a lot more expensive.

Well the DOD need to get training from the HSE and the County Councils on how to spend money.

If its 15th december and any county council has 100k left over they will be out tar and chipping any road they find before they go on hoildays so the budget is fully used up