Ireland Examining Neutrality After Ukraine War

Usual ill-informed guff about de nooodralllidy.

1) We aren't neutral. If we were "neutral", we wouldn't be in any political alliances, either and we are in several. And so, the correct definition of what we are, is 'militarily non-aligned'

2) Neutrality or non-alignment is not worth the description if it cannot be defended and asserted. We cannot do either.

3) This Country has sovereignty, meaning 'the defining power and authority in and over a territory'. We do not have the ability to surveil our own land, skies, seas and underwater of our territory and EEZ. We are contracting the British RAF to protect our skies and that's not sovereignty. Ireland is a modern wealthy State. Failing to assert our sovereignty over our infrastructure and resources abdicates it.

A Citizen's Assembly on Ireland's defence posture will happen soon, probably next year, but irrespective of its outcome, our defence forces deserve the structural reform and funding they are asking for to do the job they are constitutionally given.

I personally don't think Ireland needs to be in NATO. But I don't think we need to hang ourselves on UN decisions over what we do with our armed forces either, only the Oireachtas should. I do think we should have greater military cooperation with our EU partners. If the EU has a future, its worth protecting.

And whatever the future political policy and constitutional position ends up being, we need far more capable Defence Forces than we have now, despite the best efforts of the current soldiers, sailors and aircrew.

Glad we cleared up your original statement to me that "I obviously love 7th century religious fanatic creeps running things." when in fact its the U.S that does plus arms and trains them. I wish they would learn from there mistakes.

70% oppose becoming another of Americas ass-monkeys.

The British empire was a force for good in many ways too. Maybe its why we're not German. Or Ottoman. Who cares.

Nato doesn't need us, and we don't need nato. Russia is not a threat to us. The myth of the Russian boogeyman is debunked by their own high profile incompetence.

Beside Nato meddles in mid-east politics and gets into squabbles with jihadi's ... who in turn detonate themselves in nato countries. Far more probable an issue for us (as members) than Russia sailing around Norway and out into the Atlantic before hooking around to attack Kerry from the sea (as non-members).

Let us do any defense upgrading ourselves and remain in control, rather than getting free/discount upgrades as part of a soul-pawning exchange with Nato corporation.

The poll was posted to counter the one you posted.

I'm sure nato has been a net good for Europe, and thats great. It did so without us. And its job is looking pretty much done. Western/central Europe now easily outpowers Russia (conventional forces), whereas the USSR had the upper hand in the past.

So now Russia will either usher in nuclear war, or it will take its humbling. At this point a win over western/eu Europe is not on the books for them. And as such Ireland has no need to worry about Russia or Nato or their rivalry.

(An ass-monkey may be a country which becomes little more than an asset for the American-led nato. Such as our neighbor.)

Yes we should fork out for some radar and some high altitude sams.

Govt probably won't, and will probably spend it on pensions or raises for themselves, but still preferable to long term ho-ing ourselves out to murica for the sake of some hardware.

Sorry have you not read the Russian thread. The standard of debate is appalling by some the pro Ukranian side and anybody even posting verified news on Ukranian losses is classed as a Putin bot or is told they "must try harder comrade".

You also called me a conspiracy theorist first and hinted as if I am some fan of that nut job Alex Jones.