What if Ireland leased out Military Bases?

Augmerson · 10-05-2012 12:57AM #1

Surely the island is in a strategic position in the Atlantic, halfway between Europe and the US. If the government considered it, do you think we could make billions in leases to foreign powers to use our territory as a station for their military forces?

Imagine Argentine special forces based in Donegal.

Chinese subs in Cork.

Russian reconnaissance flights from Casement Aerodrome.

If we are serious about getting out of this ****ing eternal recession, surely we should consider every option? Let's get inventive. I guess the real question is, how far would you go to get us out of the current mess we are in, and it is a bit of a mess alright.

Zebra3 · 10-05-2012 12:59AM

Propose to sell off a small island to Iran or China.

We'll see then how determined the ECB and IMF are for us to pay off private banking debts. :cool:

kirving · 10-05-2012 01:00AM

Fantastic way to make ourselves a target for every idiot with a grudge against the US or China or the UK. No.

kyle123 · 10-05-2012 01:00AM

would u really want all them here? just them countries talking about it would have America starting cold war 2

twistyj · 10-05-2012 01:01AM

And lose our neutral status? ehhh.. no thanks but i dont want a North Korean target on me!

FoxT · 10-05-2012 01:01AM

We used to, but quit back around 1937 or so.

Imagine Bull Island = Guantanamo bay
Imagine Ireland becoming a desirable target for international terrorists.
Imagine Ireland having a Dept of Homeland security.

I'd rather be broke, TBH.

Phill Ewinn · 10-05-2012 01:01AM

They can have Offaly for free. Once they agree to use that fat cnut for target practice.

Captain Chaos · 10-05-2012 01:05AM

twistyj wrote: »

And lose our neutral status?

What neutral status, we are not neutral. A neutral country has to have a capability to fully defend itself from the land, sea and air. We can't do any of the above.

Switzerland is neutral. We are as neutral as Sweden but without the military hardware.

FoxT · 10-05-2012 01:07AM

Captain Chaos wrote: »

What neutral status, we are not neutral. A neutral country has to have a capability to fully defend itself from the land, sea and air. We can't do any of the above.

Switzerland is neutral. We are as neutral as Sweden but without the military hardware.

True. But I think it can at least be said we have a 'somewhat-non-aggressor' status...which maybe isnt as good a neutral, but is a whole lot better than it would be if we started leasing out military bases.

Pushtrak · 10-05-2012 01:09AM

[Obligatory AH post]What if we leased out yore* ma?[/obligatory AH post[/AH]

* No one specifically.

twistyj · 10-05-2012 01:10AM

Captain Chaos wrote: »

defend itself

The Defense Forces??

Also I somewhat agree with you on neutrality with the refuelling at shannon for the yanks

golden lane · 10-05-2012 01:10AM

Captain Chaos wrote: »

What neutral status, we are not neutral. A neutral country has to have a capability to fully defend itself from the land, sea and air. We can't do any of the above.

Switzerland is neutral. We are as neutral as Sweden but without the military hardware.

the european mainland has enough...and the uk has quite a few..but could do with more........locals have lost a lot recently........

loads a money days are nearly gone.....

Simi · 10-05-2012 01:11AM

Bad at balancing your cities budget in Sim City perchance OP?

Augmerson · 10-05-2012 01:14AM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tb-gI_pFog0

Zebra3 · 10-05-2012 01:15AM

Kevin Irving wrote: »

Fantastic way to make ourselves a target for every idiot with a grudge against the US or China or the UK. No.

The US already uses Shannon as a miltary base.

bwatson · 10-05-2012 01:18AM

What is the strategic purpose of Argentine Special Forces in Donegal OP? :eek:

Chuck Stone · 10-05-2012 01:18AM

Don't call me Shirley.

joshrogan · 10-05-2012 01:18AM

What makes a man turn neutral?
Lust for gold?
Power?
Or were you just born with a heart full of neutrality?

ejmaztec · 10-05-2012 01:28AM

twistyj wrote: »

And lose our neutral status? ehhh.. no thanks but i dont want a North Korean target on me!

We'll let the North Koreans have Knock just to be on the safe side.

Killer Wench · 10-05-2012 01:31AM

Well, for all of you wanting to gain American citizenship, it would be a good thing if there was an American base on Ireland. You could snag American personnel as they tend to marry them foreigners.

charlemont · 10-05-2012 01:32AM

Augmerson wrote: »

Surely the island is in a strategic position in the Atlantic, halfway between Europe and the US. If the government considered it, do you think we could make billions in leases to foreign powers to use our territory as a station for their military forces?

Imagine Argentine special forces based in Donegal.

Chinese subs in Cork.

Russian reconnaissance flights from Casement Aerodrome.

If we are serious about getting out of this ****ing eternal recession, surely we should consider every option? Let's get inventive. I guess the real question is, how far would you go to get us out of the current mess we are in, and it is a bit of a mess alright.

Whatever you've been taking, It must be strong stuff..

IrishAm · 10-05-2012 02:13AM

Augmerson wrote: »

I guess the real question is, how far would you go to get us out of the current mess we are in, and it is a bit of a mess alright.

Well, we shouldn't be willing to prostitute ourselves out to the highest bidder.

Emphasise the word shouldn't.

The government would, if the price was right.

"We are happy to announce that we shall be working with our new Israeli/Iranian/Chinese partners, going forward. We Irish have an extraordinarily deep relationship with the people of Israel/Iran/China. It embraces many stories of heartache and courage, of heroism and achievement. This agreement strengthens that bond, different peoples, but really, we are one."

TehDagsBass · 10-05-2012 02:50AM

No, I want no form of allegiance with war hungry countries if possible. It's abhorrent that as a neutral country, we're letting the US use Shannon as a stop-over on their way to commit their atrocities in other countries.

Sindri · 10-05-2012 03:01AM

Yep, then let them occupy us at the first outbreak of war. Which is what would happen as we're are, as you said OP, in an advantageous tactical location.

ewj1978 · 10-05-2012 03:05AM

First sign of war and someone would drop a nuke or two on us, that'd be it for us.

DEFTLEFTHAND · 10-05-2012 03:09AM

Do we have military bases of warfare standard to lease?

Capt'n Midnight · 10-05-2012 10:59AM

Augmerson wrote: »

Russian reconnaissance flights from Casement Aerodrome.

Shannon used to be a regular stop-over for them, half way to Cuba and South America.

Reality is that the US already has enough bases in the UK and no one else has a lot of money to spare.

forfuxsake · 10-05-2012 11:02AM

bwatson wrote: »

What is the strategic purpose of Argentine Special Forces in Donegal OP? :eek:

To protect Malvinasessi.

deise go deo · 10-05-2012 11:04AM

twistyj wrote: »

And lose our neutral status? ehhh.. no thanks but i dont want a North Korean target on me!

Wana know a dark little secret, Ireland is not neutral:eek:

Nothingbetter2d · 10-05-2012 11:07AM

we are holding out our bases for our new alien overlords when they eventually get

LK_Dave · 10-05-2012 11:11AM

Why does it have to be military? Why not lease out a port to foreign fishing fleets so they can fish the international waters of the Atlantic and Arctic oceans? Or a cargo port to one of the BRIC countries as a transit hub for their exports to EU and Eastern markets?

Wasn't only this week we sold off (gave) Athlone to the Chinese!

What if Ireland leased out Military Bases?

Should Ireland lease out military bases to foreign powers for money? 23 votes

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