Interesting articles

Given it’s most likely to be the RAF that continues to safeguard our airspace both during and after the Presidency I wouldn’t rule the RN out at all, baring in mind the demands on the air defence ships from the Med to the Red Sea and who knows where else at the rate we are going this year. Assuming of course the attacks on Cyprus aren’t used as the logical example of why we should be stripped of holding events domestically.

Given the clean up on the Fota Road, I do wonder if Martin is bringing Starmer there, be interesting to see how that goes in terms of securing the event and the airspace.

I dont know if an Irish Order for 8/12 units would make a big difference for manufacturing jobs long term in Yeovil but it would make a big difference to the jobs for a MRO line if we were sending our fleet there for the next 25 years.

I agree. Jonny Korean is a damned fine fellow. We could do worse than doing business with him.

I daresay it will sit there until whatever constitutional crisis this has created is solved.

If Engineers Ireland are involved, it'll be a load of Civil Engineers charging subscription to fix anything. Definitely screwed.

I agree with the gentleman who suggested th 3rd brigade be re established. And…A fourth Northern brigade intobthe bargain

Well the neighbours are still fucked…

https://x.com/larisamlbrown/status/2034729593995702483

Sunday Times is reporting that the Government is to remove the restrictions on the IDA/Enterprise Ireland from supporting Irish businesses in the defence sector:

Irish state agencies will be permitted to invest in military-linked companies without prior government approval under proposals due before cabinet this week.

The significant policy shift aims to cut red tape for agencies seeking to invest in firms operating in areas such as drone technology, cybersecurity and telecommunications.

Ireland and the European Union are seeking to accelerate defence capability in response to geopolitical tensions. Ministers believe reducing administrative barriers will enable Irish companies involved in defence and dual-use technologies, including artificial intelligence and space systems, to compete for EU contracts tied to plans for a so-called “drone wall” designed to strengthen the bloc’s external security.

It is also expected to improve access for Irish firms to the €409 billion European Competitiveness Fund, scheduled to come on stream in 2028.

Peter Burke, the minister for enterprise, will bring a memo to cabinet on Tuesday proposing the removal of a long-standing requirement that IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland obtain government approval before supporting or promoting companies engaged in activities of a primarily military nature.

The change will involve deleting section 8 (5) of the Science and Technology Act 1987, which states that the agencies “shall not engage in or promote any ­activity of a primarily military relevance without the prior approval of the ­government”.

The proposal is likely to face criticism from the opposition, but senior government sources described the provision as “an outdated constraint” that no longer reflected the modern economic and technological environment, where defence and civilian applications increasingly overlap.

They argue that sectors such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, advanced materials and space technology are inherently dual-use, and that Irish companies have developed significant expertise in these areas over recent decades.

According to sources, removing the restriction would better position Irish industry to benefit from emerging EU innovation and industrial programmes, ensuring that SMEs, researchers and the wider technology sector do not miss out on big funding opportunities.

“This course of action sets us up to access new EU programmes so Irish firms can fully participate in initiatives like the European Competitiveness Fund,” one source said.

Officials have stressed that the proposed changes will not alter Ireland’s defence policy, but are aimed at enabling businesses to operate more effectively in a rapidly expanding global market.

The official said existing safeguards, including export controls, defence procurement rules and project appraisal requirements, will remain in place.

The amendment forms part of a revised Industrial Development (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which is designed to modernise the legislative framework governing the state’s enterprise agencies and equip them to attract investment, support job creation and reduce unnecessary bureaucracy.

A senior government source told The Sunday Times: “Governments across the EU have committed to increasing spending on defence significantly, including the Irish government, so there will be opportunities for Irish SMEs to be involved in this as a result of the measures that Minister Burke will ask ministers to approve on Tuesday.

Ah sure, it’s just that we have the best people…!

I see today on RTE Jim O'Callaghan in an interview is drawing a line on AGS Role for the EU summit. Jim said that he is fully sure that AGS will have everything they need to secure the summit on LAND were there juristcation is only.

Since The recent changes to Naval Powers does this mean Navy are now in charge of all Military and Civil issues at sea?

Taken from an article in the times this evening:

I’m very confident gardaí have the appropriate technology to respond to any threats that may arise from drones on land where their jurisdiction operates,” he said.

Those comments appeared to stress the Garda’s responsibility did not extend to the sea, where the Defence Forces is the primary security agency

Oh 100% but the big question is has anyone told the Navy that its now there baby apart from Jim O Callaghan in an Interview.

@jonnybigwallet your skills may be called on by the state.

https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/2026/04/04/the-spy-is-the-boring-guy-in-a-suit-inside-the-states-military-intelligence-service/