Is it time to join Nato

Thats a matter which is changing, and under active discussion at EU Council level at the moment.

Among the options being talked about, are a War Bonds programme for the procurement of huge volumes of weaponry for Ukraine, with the European Investment Bank as a broker.

Also a defence cohesion fund to assist Countries like Ireland and others who find themselves way behind the 8 Ball in terms of a modern, fit for purpose military and who need to get there quickly.

This is enabled, in principle, by the precedent already set of the EU borrowing, in effect as a sovereign, to establish the multi-trillion Euro post-Covid recovery fund.

The EU as a whole, can raise unlimited funds at rock bottom rates to invest in pretty much anything, and so reestablishing mass armaments production across the Union, especially in less well off (and also more vulnerable to Russia) Members, would provide a massive economic stimulus.

Bit of an exaggeration.

But yes certainly insufficient.

I would think to actually threaten the republic profoundly, structurally, youre going to need to be at country level status. Youll need a tax base, and a well established military.

Or maybe an isis type deal. If we discount geography.

Anything lower, a cartel, a pmc, a corporate sponsored militia, youre gonna lose.

I don't think any belligerent could hold an Irish airport and resupply it. It would be in a nut cracker between the US, UK and NATO. Any belligerent would have surrounded and isolated themselves.

Not that anyone needs Irish airports, they are a nice to have not a need to have. They managed without them in WW2.

We have nothing to do with nato.

I'd argue how accurate "blocked" and "interesting" are in a military context.

We don't ask nobody for nutthin...

We were doing option C -fcuk all.

Option C no longer works for anyone. We've got to pull the finger out and as a country have a grown up conversation about it. The world is moving into a very dangerous period of history and we need to take precautions.

Unfortunately the electorate is choosing option C. So it does work for alot of people,the people who will choise our future direction. I see no political party putting increased defence spending on the agenda, and definitely not joining Nato.

Thats natos mess.

Russia is targetting GB not us.

We let them pass through our airspsce to fix their issue.

They aren't targeting the UK from an aircraft cruising around over the Atlantic at the fringe of Irish Airspace. It's causing more risk to Irish air routes than risk to anything in the UK.

Doesn't seem to always about Nato...

Maybe I should have said there a point where its effecting Ireland more than Nato. Interfering with your air traffic is that line I would suggest.

I don't think anyone was suggesting it was a preemptive strike using some 1950 antique.

I think there some middle ground between having nothing and buying an aircraft carrier.

Not that politically anyone will spend money on it. Other than maybe a radar.