Does the Irish army do much to defend Ireland?

jimgoose · 19-02-2016 07:05PM

These days no standing army in the Western world at any rate does much in the way of defending the realm, as 'twere. One function is to provide a means for a sovereign state to exert it's will, however symbolically that may be. As pointed out, it may function in conjunction with other forces to "keep the peace", enforce UN policy, call it what you will. Also, they are the last - and most formidable - line of defence for the populace against those who would live under Jungle Law. They can Steven Seagal or .50-cal your bitch-arse if they want to!

jimgoose · 19-02-2016 07:07PM

Hammer89 wrote: »

As far as I know, they take pictures of themselves assembling machine guns that they're never, ever, ever, ever going to use and then upload them on Facebook.

The amount of FCA types I've encountered giving it the full Rambo with a Brno-Enfield would beg to differ!

NiallBoo · 19-02-2016 08:05PM

Surely there'd be more benefit to the country if you took what you put into the military and redistributed into the coast-guard and the Gardai?

Ok, so you'd pretty-much be turning the Navy into the coast guard...so not much change there.

The gardai could certainly take on roles that the army do and you'd have enough left over for an enhanced day-to-day service.

Iwasfrozen · 19-02-2016 08:10PM

The Irish army shot Provos. That makes them worth every penny in my book.

ShoulderChip · 19-02-2016 08:11PM

I thought they defend Ireland from the snakes that St Patrick got rid of no? well they haven't come back so someone is doing a sterling job.

Iwasfrozen · 19-02-2016 08:12PM

Sabrina Calm Clergy wrote: »

Well it's obvious you, and a lot of other people in this thread, haven't a clue about the roles of the Irish Army.

The EOD are called out about 150 times in 2014. About 50 of those callouts involved viable devices, designed to cause injury or death.

They escort prisoners, which, in my eyes, is a fantastic use for the military. Considering there's so few members in the ERU and armed guards in general. I believe armed Gardai (excluding the ERU) only carry pistols. Not very effective against automatic firearms.

They also provide security escort for cash transit. Another essential service as if you ask me.

Security for VIP visits.

Involved in search and rescue.

Preventing the trafficing of people, drugs and arms.

Helping with the floods.

Don't let that get in the way of a good rant though.

All of that would be better done by an armed Garda force.

ShoulderChip · 19-02-2016 08:14PM

Sabrina Calm Clergy wrote: »

Well it's obvious you, and a lot of other people in this thread, haven't a clue about the roles of the Irish Army.

The EOD are called out about 150 times in 2014. About 50 of those callouts involved viable devices, designed to cause injury or death.

They escort prisoners, which, in my eyes, is a fantastic use for the military. Considering there's so few members in the ERU and armed guards in general. I believe armed Gardai (excluding the ERU) only carry pistols. Not very effective against automatic firearms.

They also provide security escort for cash transit. Another essential service as if you ask me.

Security for VIP visits.

Involved in search and rescue.

Preventing the trafficing of people, drugs and arms.

Helping with the floods.

Don't let that get in the way of a good rant though.

Sounds like the concierge in my apartment building tbh

It wasn't me! · 19-02-2016 08:17PM

Iwasfrozen wrote: »

All of that would be better done by an armed Garda force.

On what basis do you say that?

cajonlardo · 19-02-2016 08:26PM

Iwasfrozen wrote: »

All of that would be better done by an armed Garda force.

Come back to me when you have an idea how that would cost in Garda overtime and expenses compared to the wages of a soldier.

Iwasfrozen · 19-02-2016 08:37PM

cajonlardo wrote: »

Come back to me when you have an idea how that would cost in Garda overtime and expenses compared to the wages of a soldier.

Who said overtime? There are 7.5k soldiers, we could replace their function with 5k armed guards for less cost.

the_syco · 19-02-2016 08:43PM

The english army would appear in the other 26 counties, as just like last time; someone would invite them in, and no-one would be able to make them leave.

aaakev · 19-02-2016 08:44PM

The irish army bomb disposal unit is one of the best in the world, So much so that they were training US teams heading to Afghanistan. As was already said they were called out well over 100 times last year and plenty of those times were for viable devices.

Our special forces are highly regarded throughout the world too, in fact a ranger sniper team recently won the world championship beating US and UK special forces teams. things they do to protect the country you will never hear about but you can be guaranteed things are done.

Cash escorts and the prison runs are definitely a good service they provide.

Id much rather them be there than not

cajonlardo · 19-02-2016 08:49PM

Iwasfrozen wrote: »

Who said overtime? There are 7.5k soldiers, we could replace their function with 5k armed guards for less cost.

Soldiers do not get overtime, so they can work any amount of hours. And they do.

Gardai get paid overtime. How do you propose to fund that?

diomed · 19-02-2016 08:49PM

They stopped the English from invading and taking our wimmin and turf. 100% successful so far.

m5ex9oqjawdg2i · 19-02-2016 08:52PM

Iwasfrozen wrote: »

All of that would be better done by an armed Garda force.

Iwasfrozen wrote: »

Who said overtime? There are 7.5k soldiers, we could replace their function with 5k armed guards for less cost.

You clearly have no idea what you are talking about. You just picked a figure, then picked a smaller finger and hey presto, we have a "fact"... conjured out of thin air.

Do you have any idea how much a 3* PTE makes per week basic?

animaal · 19-02-2016 09:18PM

Policing and military roles aren't inter-changeable.

There have been times around the world when countries have drafted in their armies to perform policing duties. It generally doesn't work well - they require very different mindsets and skill sets. Likewise, I wouldn't expect gardai to perform military functions well.

As well as the tasks the army do carry out, they have another major function - deterrence. Over the years, there have been a number of armed organisations that didn't accept the validity of this state. I wouldn't like to think what the outcome might have been if we didn't have a well-trained armed force.

While many of those organisations have stood down, I find it hard to believe that all ex-members have changed their minds about this state, and have no access to weapons.

Fratton Fred · 19-02-2016 09:38PM

aaakev wrote: »

Our special forces are highly regarded throughout the world too, in fact a ranger sniper team recently won the world championship beating US and UK special forces teams. things they do to protect the country you will never hear about but you can be guaranteed things are done.

That's what I find bizarre about the defence force. We have a highly trained and respected Ranger Wing, ready to deploy at a moment's notice anywhere in the world, but no actual means of getting them there.

The army and navy have defined role that they carry out, whereas the air Corp are a cross between a mediocre display team and a ministerial taxi service.

wendell borton · 19-02-2016 09:44PM

Junkyard Tom wrote: »

Defend Ireland from what?

Muslamic ray guns and the queen of England.

John Doe1 · 19-02-2016 09:49PM

They would be as effective as the ballymuck neighbourhood watch if an invasion occurred.

Nodin · 19-02-2016 09:51PM

Dots1982 wrote: »

When was the last time any one Irish said, "thank god for our Army" or "if it hadn't been for the army I don't know what would have happened"?

Presumably somebody whose property was protected by their work during the floods.

diomed · 19-02-2016 09:52PM

The real power of the army is as a brake on the people who are fighting for our freedom, the ones who say "6 counties" and "26 counties".

kfallon · 19-02-2016 09:53PM

Junkyard Tom wrote: »

Defend Ireland from what?

Ourselves!!! We can't be trusted!!!

Nodin · 19-02-2016 09:54PM

kfallon wrote: »

Ourselves!!! We can't be trusted!!!

Letting irish people into this country was never going to end well.

Iwasfrozen · 19-02-2016 09:56PM

Nodin wrote: »

Letting irish people into this country was never going to end well.

Keeping the scumbags in check is the one good use for our army.

stoplooklisten · 19-02-2016 09:57PM

The should be on standby to ferry people around in floods

stoplooklisten · 19-02-2016 09:57PM

They should be on standby to ferry people around in floods

pablomakaveli · 19-02-2016 11:55PM

I've never understood the widespread disdain for the Defence Forces in Ireland. Considering they're pretty underfunded, they actually do their job really well and their achievements in their peacekeeping missions should be a source of pride.

gormdubhgorm · 20-02-2016 12:37AM

Don't they put up sandbags against water?
We won't sink anyway!

Capt'n Midnight · 20-02-2016 12:49AM

ShoulderChip wrote: »

I thought they defend Ireland from the snakes that St Patrick got rid of no? well they haven't come back so someone is doing a sterling job.

Hate to burst your bubble, but have you ever been down Kildare Street ?

eet fuk · 20-02-2016 12:58AM

We should go invading.
Always the invadees, never the invaders. Let's get this empire rolling.

Does the Irish army do much to defend Ireland?

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