Is it time to join Nato

Yeah I agree, we should indeed invest some more in the DF.

But not out of guilt, shame or some newly invented obligation pulled from an arse.

And also not because some gun nuts that cant get past their cool military equipment phase.

The above in response to the freeloader bollox.

Sure. Let me know when it happens Arnold.

70% against by this poll.

Far more likely we'll be part of an agreed and formalized EU military coalition, probably an extension of csdp.

At that point, once duties and expectations are formally outlined we might then one day be in a position where we fail and then can rightly be called freeloaders by self hating p.... laddies. (not referring to you btw).

Plus, the absence of our dear neighbors from one group, and their membership of the other group, is really going to guide the voter.

And that (eu coalition) is something id be all for.

👍️

Ireland has too choices.

A) Spend enough to defend our own territory, resources, assets and most importantly people.

The skies, the seas, the environment, the pipelines, the data, the networks, the telecommunications, the roads, the airports.

Or

B) Join an alliance that together has the wherewithal to do that collectively, wherever within the alliance the threat is.

The choice of C) none of the above, is bo longer an option.

And to be honest I think being in NATO is just as much a constraint on actually protecting our interests as the current triple-lock policy is.

I'd much sooner see us do A) but I think we may finish up being bounced into B) out of necessity.

Its a lot dodgy.

And its because they never want anyone outside to know how dodgy, that they spend so much on their military.

Not for any dodginess, but Ireland is approaching the same position in Data and Comms as Switzerland is for banking. We have an obligation to our resident companies and our investors and we aren't taking it seriously.

Yes, forgot about Knock, that is a long runway.

Russia is very likely incapable of invading Ireland. (and the western foothold theory is nonsense)

Russians only ever enter Irish airspace or maritime space to mess with nato. Which is what the RAF "defend" us from, a problem which is part of their own geopolitical business in the first place. Gee thanks for picking up your own dogs mess in my garden, awful good of you.

We lack the budget to ever invest in enough aircraft to deter Russia. If Russia was intent on attacking us they'd just send an extra aircraft to cancel out whatever we had. If we put up 5 jets they'd send an extra 10.

If 70% are against nato membership it doesn't matter whether you think its right.

Nato sure don't need us, and we don't need nato. We have EU common defense for any Russia related issues. We don't need to add Nato into the mix, its run by the US, and they elect industry sponsored nutters. And I've no desire for our country to be another voiceless junior partner and small cog in their military machine.

Also Ive no desire for our country to be militarily aligned with Britain for many obvious reasons.

The govt say they're going to spend on radar. And we have surveillance aircraft. If UK act up we just text Ursula.

Also to restate, its the UK defending the UK, not us. From their/natos geopolitical rival. We just happen to be in the way.

Russia's not targeting Offaly.

Regardless, even if 90% of Irish are against NATO membership, fact is, neutrality rarely helped in case of war and conflict.

Belgium was neutral in WW1 but saw the fiercest battles, Ypres, Passchendaele, etc..

The Netherlands wanted to be neutral in WW2, but were overrun by the Nazis.

Norway was neutral in WW2 and was occupied by the Nazis as well.

The threat is always as big and as well as how badly the hostile country wants to take over your own country. The reasons for doing so might not be understandable for the country falling victim to the hostile country.

If somebody, say the Russians decided that the island of Ireland is of interest to them, as it's a strategically positioned country in the Atlantic than they would invade, neutrality or not doesn't interest somebody with hostile intentions.

Ukraine was sort of neutral at some point before the war, but it didn't help them either.

Fact is, neutrality is not a strategy for defense, it'll never be, even if 90% of Irish think it is. War is not a democracy, it's a game of the stronger one. In case of war one needs to have more than good friends to supply with arms and ammunition, that is if one has a capable military. Or one can rely on NATO membership and their expertise as a deterrent.

And who would attack and invade Ireland? You think this question is funny and to be laughed about? You won't laugh if it actually happens.

What do invaders do? Arrest and deport critics, torture, robbing valuables and raping women. Invasions are rarely a nice social call and a few drinks in the pub and a departure at some point.

Is it though, or are you full of hype.

EU has our back. We dont need nato.

Whats to stop a load.of Russian destroyers or aircraft landing up in a port in Ireland, if things got tense?

Only recently they entered our waters and we could do nothing.