Interesting articles

Its not like we are the only nation struggling to recruit at the moment though.

Yes, and they have been told “F Off” by even the looney tunes of the Tories, which is saying something. The U.K. isn’t bringing in Conscription and neither are we.

Ya, whatever about the UK which last had national service 60 years ago and no chance for it to restart there even with a military tradition, here there would be blue murder if suggested

Can anyone summarise the IT article, it's behind a paywall for me and can't seem to find the same story reported elsewhere.

Martin has been briefed that the numbers expected to be recruited will be below the needed/planned amounts at only 540, and has ordered a new plan drawn up to increase the numbers, but nobody is quite sure how that is going to be achieved given the economy and current efforts. BTW there are ways around paywalls.

Look at you coming up with suggestions as to how we could make the DF more attractive... The department will have none of that. I could just imagine their response to some of the housing other nations have for their personnel (though granted there are some that are as bad as us).

Ryanair cares more about their employees than the DOD does about the DF (and isn’t that saying something…), the DOD has been trying to run down any legacy housing stock for years.

That's an impressive list, with a considerable sum involved. It's a shame that doesn't make the headlines.

The new Gym location in Haulbowline for example is on a building (Building 11)that was destroyed, presumably by fire, in the 1920s. Underneath it used to be 4 oil storage tanks. Before that it was a Rainwater tank, that did, as the name suggests, collect rainwater for use by the island, before it had any other form of water supply, for use in the dockyard. Above the (underground) tanks was a Coopers workshop, pharmacy and accommodation for officers.

It was built in 1816.

As for the Ispat site remediation, The complexity here is it is where the old factory sat, and footprints of the steel mill is littered with the remains of steel foundation embedded in the ground since 1976 and earlier, and deep pools which once had an industrial function, but now only contain various levels of Toxic matter. It's not Chernobyl, but you would have a high risk of cellulitis, should you happen to catch a scratch after a simple slip, trip or fall. My prediction is the site will be infilled completely as was the east tip, and used as a hard stand only.

Not practical when the other properties are already in DoD ownership, and a wide range of development has already been done in recent years.

You'll get those costs no matter where you go. There is no such thing as a "green field" site when it comes to state development. It either becomes an archaeological dig site because bronze age settlements are discovered during excavation, or it becomes the subject of NIMBYs protesting at the blatant militarism on display and won't someone think of the children.

If we own the property already, we can just make better use of it. Haulbowline Island for example has a total area of 87 Acres, including the old east tip (20 Acres), which is not DoD owned. The old ISPAT site, whic is mostly cleared former industrial ground, is another 20 acres. It would be a waste to evacuate this secure location for some unknown greenfield site requiring deepwater access. USE IT!

It's been noticeable for the last 18+ months the World is becoming unstable...You have a group of emboldened powerful autocracies who see the chance to alter the World to how they want it, a stumbling unsure fractured former hegemon, half of Europe arming up, another half hoping it all just goes away...all a perfect storm coming.

I think those in government have suddenly noticed that the main way conflict Will (not could) affect Ireland is an influx of refugees. It has also become clear to government that the land of welcomes has a pretty low tolerance for those escaping conflict. Yeah sure we'll take them when the bombs are landing on their heads, but after that, they are not wanted, because it'll be tourist season soon, and we want the hotels back.

And that's not even the Far Right. That's the FF voters.

There has been a realisation that neutrality will mean SFA to asymmetric warfare.

Even if we manage to remain outside the conflict (which is becoming unlikely, as we see the far left jumping up ad down in the Dail urging Ireland to involve itself in a conflict between Israel and Hamas), the instability it causes may give us more cause to protect what we have from those keen to destabilise our government, be they foreign or local.

That may be why we saw last week Government commit to €300m on a Naval Vessel designed with joint operations in mind.

In what universe is Rathmines close to the M50 in either distance or time?? never mind just some really bad writing

There was always a difficult moment explaining the facial hair regulation to male recruits, while remarkably fuzzy female recruits stood alongside.

This solves that issue, thankfully.

Dreadlocks were already permited. Navy have had a Rastafari for a number of years.

They probably assume Dublin ATC would shut down all operations to allow DF aircraft to come and go as they please...