Ireland is no longer neutral

Naaah

We're just the cook*





*Courtesy Seagal quotes

I thought we were non-aligned as opposed to neutral. They are very different things.

This thread is a joke. According to some, we're either gearing up to invade a country full of helpless brown people, inviting the British back in or merely giving in to "bondholders". :rolleyes:

If it wasn't for the UK giving us kit, Ireland would have never even had an army for most of the 20th century.

Virtually all of the Free States kit came from the UK - armored cars, rifles, boots, artillery and uniforms. During the Emergency, they gave us second-hand tanks, training, AA guns and a few naval vessels.

During the troubles we still sourced most things from the UK like vehicles and equipment. And it was no coincidence that we chose the same SLR (FAL) rifle as them. Nor was it a coincidence that we switched to a bullpop style rifle thereafter when they did.

And a load of training is given to Irish officers at Sandhurst year round.

This sounds like a great deal for Ireland and a fantastic achievement for the DoD - one of the few departments that was actually able to cut its budget and keep it that way. The UK has warehouses of armored troop vehicles, comms equipment and god knows what else fancy, hi-tech equipment. They're scaling down big-time after Afghanistan and Iraq. Lots of stuff was bought and barely got taken out of the box. So Ireland gets great 21st century equipment for free (basically).

I also wouldn't discount the experience Ireland can pass on when it comes to peacekeeping. We're one of the few countries still sticking it out in the Golan Heights. Austria pulled out and Ireland had to fill the void. Since then, several other forces have left the area and are "observing" from across the fence in Israel. I'm no expert but it seems this is one area where Ireland might have a thing or two up it's sleeve and it's definitely worth teaching.

blatantrereg wrote: »

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.

Ironic, since the ONLY country we've actually needed defending from has been the UK.

:pac:

The Bould Rabbit wrote: »

Yes I would, no problem.


The title of this thread needs changing to something like "Home for the ill informed and misguided".

Of course you would.

Keyboard warrior to hardened battle veteran in two clicks.

:pac:

Dean0088 wrote: »

No exactly.

Since 1922, the UK never had any intention of re-invading Ireland. The "Irish Problem" was put to bed (mostly) and no MP wanted to be the one to even suggest reopening the most problematic can of worms in the UK's history.

The closest we came was during WW2 when Churchill wanted Irish ports. And even then he never seriously considered invading because he knew he'd effectively have to fight two wars at once.

During this time, Ireland was secretly drawing up plans to ALLOW the the UK to invade should the Germans arrive. The plan was for Irish troops to sink a few ships in southern Irish ports to stall a German landing, and clear the roads and railway lines so US and UK troops could steam down south over the border.

Irish troops in the south would break off and head into the hills to start guerrilla resistance against the Germans, while the rest would actually be tasked with protecting UK and US troops from the IRA.

The "old enemy" dynamic hasn't been in play since 1922. Even during the troubles it was never a serious threat that either side would meet conventionally.

Like it or not, they're the biggest allies we have. Economically and militarily. We share a common border and a common enemy that crosses freely over it. Our cultures are very similar (and compatible).

All the bar stool republicans and would-be revolutionaries on boards would be begging for UK intervention in Ireland if anything ever happened. :pac:

If you think you're going to teach me anything new about the Second World War, you can think again. I've been studying it for over 25 years.

Mickey mouse, preliminary, paper plans don't come close to actual invasion and occupation.

As for "bar stool republicans"...you couldn't be more wrong. :pac:

Tony EH wrote: »

No, we weren't.

Letting a few RAF pilots slip up the North, because we didn't want the hassle of watching them in the Curragh, is not taking sides.

Axis airmen were always picked up and intened, weather reports for D Day, the Donegal air corridor, returning whole downed aircraft or downed aircraft components to Britain, keeping tabs on the Axis legations in Dublin, coast watchers reports forwarded if of interest to Allies....covert and overt co-operation rather than getting 'stuck in'.

Tony EH wrote: »

Of course you would.

Keyboard warrior to hardened battle veteran in two clicks.

:pac:

I'd be in favour of Ireland exploring the option of joining NATO.

You seem to think that anyone in favour of doing so should be down at their local barracks, joining up. :rolleyes:

Like it or not, wars aren't what they used to be. Large-scale wars have pretty much ceased. Now it's unconventional conflicts and terrorism that poses the biggest threat.

Ireland is a western nation and enjoys first world development because of that. Given our size, we'd never be asked to contribute huge numbers unless WW3 kicked off. We kidding ourselves if we don't think that our interests are heavily aligned and invested with our western partners. And should there ever be a need we should be willing to do our part. I'd rather make a pact/deal with the EU/US than one day find ourselves in a position of shaking hands with a force that's entirely unacceptable to our culture or democracy.