If being an unaligned country with a large army is no deterrent to Putin's ambitions is it time for ROI to join Nato?
Was he also correct when he said this Yurt?
“There are positives to Ireland’s neutrality. We’re not politically neutral. And obviously to change neutrality is something that ultimately the Irish people would have to have a say in,”
Yes?
Don't know what you're fishing for here.
You said the government was 'empowered'. Martin's statement, as recently as yesterday, suggests the government don't want that power, (even though the scaremongers would have you believe we are the 'most vunerable of all Europe') and that it is happy that the people decide.
There is an eu army coming off the back of this Russian invasion of Ukraine imo, Germany is ramping up it's military spending, as will other European countries, if and when there is such an army you can be sure it LL be a requirement of all EU nations to have skin in the game.
That will require a referendum here. Fine by me.
That's a legal and constitutional fact. The government, although restrained legislatively in certain aspects with regards troop deployments abroad, is empowered to set the course of Ireland's defence arrangements - including collective security.
Be interesting to see what the outcome of that would be.
But they aren't going to do it without a plebiscite.
pro russia sf now virulent anti Nato via its most active boards poster ,
oddly concerned for Irish Army soldiers having refused to acknowledge them as the only rightful Irish army for years
claiming it will cost us too much while disregarding the massive cost of a UI wet dream both socially culturally and economically.
do they just like being on the wrong side of history or is it just good old fashioned provo greed ? gerry might need some cash the way law suits are lining up these days
Well, you seem to be happier to have the British government decide where, when and how we can deploy our troops.
What country in Europe would trust an EU army given the EUs backing of Germany when it comes to inaction against Russia? If Ukraine were relying on the EU for military support the Russians would have taken Kyiv months ago
The whole EU army is a French project to give them a military alliance where they dont play second fiddle to les Anglos. Nothing more
Any Irish person pro Russian is a disgrace backing an unjustified invasion and the killing of innocent people in a land grab, you'd have to wonder about the breed that wants a united Ireland and yet backs Russians, they must be beyond confused.
Nope, I have already said it is not ideal that the UN has a veto for Russia, France, China, The US and the UK but it is the best the world has to offer.
You advocate for an Irish government (whomsoever it might be) having the right to send troops wherever they like.
I said before that you hadn't quite thought that one through and remain convinced of it. An attempt to take a cheap shot backfired on you when the logic of it was pointed out to you.
Who's "fighting for us"? Didn't realise Ireland was in a conflict or war.
If you're inferring in some way that we're part of the Ukraine/Russia war, then I assume you're currently on the way over there to join up?
The only reason politicians here would push for a "United Ireland", is so that they can draw up a new constitution and remove certain rights dictated to them from their masters in Brussels and above.
I hope you, nor anyone else, is stupid enough to fall for that.
Correct.
I have long argued that keeping us out of WW2 as a fledgling country and economy was a difficult, brave and real intervention for 'us'. It allowed us to develop what is a valuable contribution to peacekeeping since. A service that will be required as the world divides again.
You have to remember right back to the days of Danny Morrison SF (not the Provos) were fuly signed up to the Marxist National Liberation view of the world, America was the source of all evils and needed to be opposed regardless of who was doing the opposing. Obviously the Provos kept a firm lid on this stuff given that it was yanks who were funding them but post ceasefire the Shinners have ran with it. They're stuffed to the gills with this kind of stuff when it comes to international policy
I've said before, I notice the government are changing the "We Stand With Ukraine" advertising around the place to "Be Brave Like Ukraine". What the hell are they/the EU trying to condition people for? Why would you be telling people here in a neutral country to "Be Brave Like Ukraine"?
Who is that directed towards, specifically? The Ukrainians here who left their country? Obviously not. The Irish? Why? What's the context? Be "brave" in what way? Very odd. People should be asking questions, imo
We need to be brave for mens right to be women and to fight toxic masculinity, I suppose.
Are worried we'll be conscripted and shipped off to fight in the Donbas? Mickey and Leo could barely bring themselves to send packed lunchs to the Ukranians, I think you're safe enough
No idea.
If Leo, Martin, Coveney, and their families led us on the front line, then yeah, I'd join in for the laugh. Wouldn't even care who we were supposed to be fighting 🤣
Otherwise, not a chance. Never take orders from puppets.
Interesting report from Westport Co Mayo this morning. We are in effect in a military dependency on the UK. An alliance de facto if not de jure
I'd like you to be right on that, btw, but they replaced the Covid propaganda very suddenly with all of this stuff. I've a feeling there's something more behind it.
Going off the last two years, people in this country are easily led/manipulated.
Yes.
If theres one thing the Irish do well, it's complacency.
Unless the UN says so, right?
??
Would get outa that - we were and we are still hiding behind the skirts of the Brits and the Yanks.
Peacekeeping duties? The value of sending members of our defence forces on these missions is far more mundane 1) it puts a few extra bob into the wage packets which tend not to be great 2) it relieves the tedium and boredom of barracks life here and 3) it's better training than popping off a few rounds of ammo that's due to pass it's expiry date down in Glen Imaal.
That's why we enrol troops in peacekeeping missions. A bit of honesty is due in these matters.
Keeping us out of WW2 delayed economic development by nearly two decades as we were left out of the process that led to the EEC. Standing idly by as we did during WW2 was not a good look at all.
Edit: As the world divides again, we have the choice of being on the side of Putin and China, or on the side of democracy. We shouldn't be in the middle, we should be on the side of democracy.
Not exactly, it is not up to the UN, because some countries have a veto, so in the @FrancieBrady world, we will put a clause into the constitution giving the British government a veto on the use of Irish Defence Forces abroad. The ultimate in post-colonial servility.
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