Ireland is no longer neutral

Kermit.de.frog · 12-01-2015 02:08AM #1

Not after this anyway

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/ireland-and-uk-agree-historic-defence-agreement-1.2062356

Giving training to the British army? We get their excess equipment for free?

Leaving aside the fact "neutrality" is a bit of a running joke given our actual alliances but this surely buries the notion once and for all.

Another aspect of the agreement provides that the Irish Army will be provided, free of charge, with equipment that is surplus to the requirements of the British army.

Grand so. We'll take that aircraft carrier they have no planes for.

The Bould Rabbit · 12-01-2015 02:09AM

Good. Neutrality is a cop out.

Time we joined NATO.

degsie · 12-01-2015 02:12AM

Yup. We have moved from 'neutral' to 'live'.

Kevin McCloud · 12-01-2015 02:14AM

degsie wrote: »

Yup. We have moved from 'neutral' to 'live'.

Be earth next.

Dr. Kenneth Noisewater · 12-01-2015 02:16AM

"Irish peacekeepers on patrol in Lebanon. The British army does not have experience in such operations."

Hah! A shly dig at the Brits from the Irish Times of all periodicals.

wretcheddomain · 12-01-2015 02:18AM

degsie wrote: »

Yup. We have moved from 'neutral' to 'live'.

Kevin McCloud wrote: »

Be earth next.

For plug sake...

My name is URL · 12-01-2015 02:19AM

Ireland was never neutral.

Look up 'triple lock mechanism'

The Bould Rabbit wrote: »

Good. Neutrality is a cop out.

No it isn't. Taking and maintaining a position of 'neutrality' is more difficult and more beneficial than automatically siding with anyone.

K4t · 12-01-2015 02:19AM

You can only remain neutral as long as you have the option of doing so.

The_Valeyard · 12-01-2015 02:20AM

The Bould Rabbit wrote: »

Good. Neutrality is a cop out.

Time we joined NATO.

Nope.

shruikan2553 · 12-01-2015 02:21AM

Indeed, now when the British army peace keeps its way into a foreign country the locals will be blaming Ireland for making them so peaceful.

Kermit.de.frog · 12-01-2015 02:21AM

K4t wrote: »

You can only remain neutral as long as you have the option of doing so.

Which we don't because we can't defend our neutrality.

Having said that the Swiss also have a warped notion of their own neutrality for example. In fact I can't think of a single country now that is genuinely neutral and can defend that neutrality.

Gatling · 12-01-2015 02:23AM

Its actually a great deal ,the British have tons of equipment from Afghanistan vehicles and such which could save the defence forces a fortune in the short and long term

Qualitymark · 12-01-2015 02:23AM

The Bould Rabbit wrote: »

Good. Neutrality is a cop out.

Not in the least; it's the only moral position.

Irish troops have taken part in many peacekeeping missions, keeping warring sides apart and keeping civilians safe, but we have never joined a war of aggression. That's what neutrality means.

Gatling · 12-01-2015 02:25AM

Qualitymark wrote: »

Not in the least; it's the only moral position.

Irish troops have taken part in many peacekeeping missions, keeping warring sides apart and keeping civilians safe, but we have never joined a war of aggression. That's what neutrality means.

Wonder if that lads currently in Afghanistan will be driving home in some nice new armour

Kermit.de.frog · 12-01-2015 02:26AM

wretcheddomain wrote: »

For plug sake...

That is so bad it's good

Ken. · 12-01-2015 02:26AM

Take it from someone that knows. During the last 20 years military personal from damn near every African nation bar South Africa have done officer and U.N. training in Ireland. Soldiers from the Scandinavian countries have done U.N. training in Ireland. Its nothing new.

somefeen · 12-01-2015 02:30AM

Qualitymark wrote: »

Not in the least; it's the only moral position.

Irish troops have taken part in many peacekeeping missions, keeping warring sides apart and keeping civilians safe, but we have never joined a war of aggression. That's what neutrality means.

I wouldnt say it was moral to look at the likes of ISIL and say "Yeah well we are entirely neutral on this"

I was thinking about this earlier today. Its time Ireland stood up to the plate and started actually taking a stance on world issues.

blatantrereg · 12-01-2015 02:42AM

Ireland's neutrality has always been based on the fact that other countries, especially the UK, would defend us if there was need to do so.
The threat to the UK from a hostile force occupying Ireland would be too great to ignore.

PizzamanIRL · 12-01-2015 02:44AM

The Irish training the English to keep the peace? Ha. HA!

McDermotX · 12-01-2015 04:39AM

somefeen wrote: »

I wouldnt say it was moral to look at the likes of ISIL and say "Yeah well we are entirely neutral on this"

I was thinking about this earlier today. Its time Ireland stood up to the plate and started actually taking a stance on world issues.

Agreed................Let's fu*k everyone up !!

Smidge · 12-01-2015 05:16AM

Afaik, Ireland hasn't been neutral for a long time.
Badge on the uniform?

djflawless · 12-01-2015 08:05AM

F#ck neutrality!!
The world's w@nked because of nations standing up, or 'peace keeping' others.
Its just fancy talk for 'hey go peace keeping there and be ready for whoever we sanity to rib.
Join Putin and let's wreck the place

pmasterson95 · 12-01-2015 08:13AM

Oh goody. Bring on the muslim terrorists they love the brits.

Mr. G · 12-01-2015 09:00AM

The IRish Defense Forces are training the Grits on peacekeeping. Nothing more. That doesn't make us a not neutral country.

Jawgap · 12-01-2015 09:03AM

The Bould Rabbit wrote: »

Good. Neutrality is a cop out.

Time we joined NATO.

Nope - we can't afford it, nor do we need it.

Desolation Of Smug · 12-01-2015 09:07AM

I dunno how I feel about all this, I suppose I'm fairly neutral towards the idea.

Zebra3 · 12-01-2015 09:24AM

somefeen wrote: »

I wouldnt say it was moral to look at the likes of ISIL and say "Yeah well we are entirely neutral on this"

I was thinking about this earlier today. Its time Ireland stood up to the plate and started actually taking a stance on world issues.

So which bunch of murderous criminals do you reckon we should start bombing tomorrow?

The Russians? Israelis? Americans?

Or just different coloured people who follow a particular faith?

Capt'n Midnight · 12-01-2015 09:32AM

Kermit.de.frog wrote: »

Which we don't because we can't defend our neutrality.

Having said that the Swiss also have a warped notion of their own neutrality for example. In fact I can't think of a single country now that is genuinely neutral and can defend that neutrality.

Sweden.

The have some serious home grown kit.

In part their neutrality means they can sell arms to both sides.

silverharp · 12-01-2015 09:43AM

we are not a sovereign country anyway , the only purpose of this state is to pay back European bondholders so the question is moot.

whisky_galore · 12-01-2015 09:44AM

We were never neutral, like local politics, we just cosy up to whatever country that will 'look after' us.

Streetwalker · 12-01-2015 09:45AM

Gatling wrote: »

Its actually a great deal ,the British have tons of equipment from Afghanistan vehicles and such which could save the defence forces a fortune in the short and long term

Machines that where used to kill and slaughter innocents all over that nation. No thanks.

Ireland is no longer neutral

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