I think the problem comes with those who conflate neutrality, which is a reasonable stance, with pacifism which would be an odd position for a constantly invaded and colonised island to take :)
We have underinvested in defence.
As we have in housing, infrastructure etc. Despite having the money!
The mad thing is that we can afford to invest in all these which would boost the economy, provide good jobs, increase internal stability, and add weight to Ireland’s role as a trusted go between.
But the F’ing parties (FF, FG and SF) all live in the mythical past.
We don't even have a functioning navy. Or an army that's at full strength even at its small size, but these lads want us to join NATO before we work on that.
What is this latest obsession? Why do we need €500m worth of German armoured vehicles? What for? The Tanaiste has stated that our troops won’t be deployed anywhere else as peacekeepers!
They have referendums at a higher rate than us and neutrality is regularly part of the discussion re EU and Single Market. They don't think they can be neutral and a member like us. Which is a fair argument.
They have a major referendum on the single market coming. I would guess that they'd look at our security arrangements and say they prove that our neutrality is a sham by comparison with theirs, that we are informally defensively reliant on others with whom we are otherwise totally integrated.
I mean this is ridiculous on its face. I'm an advocate for us having a strong Defence Forces and learning as much as we can from Ukraine's use of uncrewed drones - invest! We should at least not have to rely on the UK for air cover and undersea monitoring! - but, dear heaven.
Tiny Island is not going to add much to any military alliance and everyone (except him, clearly) knows it. That said, logically our economic interdependence with the EU pushes us towards defence and security cooperation, so no aggressor vs. the EU is going to actually see us as a neutral.
Comments
We have underinvested in defence.
As we have in housing, infrastructure etc. Despite having the money!
But the F’ing parties (FF, FG and SF) all live in the mythical past.
Can you read my story♥️😞❤️ and donate a small amount?
I apologize for reaching out this way 🙏
Can you read my story and donate a small amount?
I apologize for reaching out this way 🙏🍉🩷💙
Jennifer Horgan has her finger on a very different pulse.