3 New Navy Vessels for Irish Naval Service

At the heart of it is Covid.

During covid, those who could worked from home, others got paid to stay at home. People have new priorities in their life, and will no longer tolerate what is basically minimum wage to be away from home for months at a time, when they can get the same money working as an office clerk, and never have to leave their house in the morning.

What did Martin today mean by the below

Mr Martin said he was not satisfied with the situation even though there was “expanded and improved” air capacity which had “significantly” enhanced maritime surveillance.

Have we extra secret aircraft that no one knows about inculding the defence forces?

IMO poor enough showing from M Martin at lunchtime on Radio 1 news. Basically nothing to see here, please move along … he also kept speaking over the interviewer in an attempt to talk the clock down. Naval or military management listening to this would have received zero confidence that this was top of his priority list. Complacency and lack of urgency were dripping off him.

the surveillance piece mentioned is where we had two planes and AFAIK we still have two maritime planes operational - when I was in school this represented no increase… ? Maybe things are thought different now? He brought in other countries role etc so Paddy will now let the Uk and France mind our patch.

as I said before the best thing is the Russians or some bad actor get involved in some incident in our waters or skies and hopefully the embarrassment or a message from investors or our neighbours is compelling.

When thinking about the DOD, and Government's inaction on the whole of the decline of the DF, why am I reminded of this sketch?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSXIetP5iak

True, you get a day or 2 of it, then everyone moves on to what Vague Williams newest offspring had for breakfast.

They are looking for civillian clerks to work in the FMC in the naval base on 12 hour shifts with a 25% shift allowence. Do naval staff that work in the FMC get that?

Would be a cheaper option (you could pick up a ship of this type for about €70m) and provide much of the capability the MRV was to provide. NZ did well with the former Edda Fonn. In addition your diving unit finally has a floating home.

True, but its also something the NS have needed for many years. If you look at the original MRV specs there was nothing about RO-RO, just the ability to carry vehicles or TEU.

A dive support ship has become a higher priority to all navies witht he risk of attack on undersea cables and pipelines. That's what this ship is for. Plus with the heavy crane and flat deck aft, you can stick whatever TEU module (Cube etc) you wish on deck..

Also re the MRV concept, might be worth reading this..

Delay to Irish Naval Service's new Multi-Role Vessel tender raises affordability questions | Shephard (shephardmedia.com)

To be fair it’s not a question of “affordability”, the Capital budget was already meant to have been sized to afford the buy, and if the costs have exceeded that allocation it might do to remind the departments about inflation and how long they have been trying to push this purchase off the books. If the MRV is dead then it’s been a department/political choice to kill it not a budget breaking cost.

But given we are into the end game of the next budget, and the lack of any push from the department, I expect nothing but a below inflation budget.

Given the presence of three senior Ministers in Cork (one holding the purse strings) and with particular concern about the NS of their own backyard, being expressed by all three, you may assume the Defence budget will be as committed to in the adoption of the Commission plan, 2021 prices adjusted for inflation.

FG, above all, must be seen to be very robust on justice and defence heading into 3 elections over the next 17 months.

If the defence vote is not increased above inflation, while the exchequer reports a surplus, the govt put themselves under huge pressure to deliver the increase to the €1.5bn they promised last year. If we presume they'll call an election in late 2024 as some sources suggest, not having shown to spend as promised will be fodder for opposition parties, as yet another govt department reports a huge underspend. (Transport).

The funds are there, they don't seem to want to spend it.

It's not even a FG problem any more. The current minister being FF arrived in the post with great plans to do business, reflecting how he took on the Health boards and brought in the workplace smoking ban. Clock is ticking, they have to be seen to deliver on at least one of the items in the program for government (vague as it was) before they call an election that at least one of the parties in government will lose. As a reminder:

"Defence

Irish people take great pride in our Permanent Defence Forces and the men and women who serve this country with pride and distinction. Since first deploying, the Defence Forces have the longest unbroken record of overseas service with the UN of any country, during which time the nature of conflict has presented new challenges. We will continue this proud record and ensure that the Defence Forces are suitably resourced to participate in such service, recognising the new challenges facing the global community. Peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts are at the core of the  international reputation of the Defence Forces. With climate change becoming an increasing security threat across the world, and a significant factor in the incidences of war, famine, forced migration and disaster management, we recognise the vital role of the Defence Forces in addressing these challenges.

Commission on the Defence Forces

In order to meet the medium- and longer-term defence requirements of the State, an independent Commission will be established. This Commission will undertake a comprehensive review, which will include the following matters:

• Arrangements for the effective defence of the country at land, air and sea.

• Structures for governance, joint command, and control structures.

• The brigade structure.

• Pay and allowances and composition of the Defence Forces.

• Recruitment, retention and career progression.

• The contribution of the Reserve Defence Forces, including its legislation and Defence Forces regulations governing it, and whether specialists from the RDF should be able to serve overseas.

The Commission will contain a wide variety of expertise such as management, human resources, academia, law, and public service, as well as members with external military expertise from countries similar in size to Ireland and also from states which, like Ireland, are non-aligned militarily. We will consult widely on the terms of reference for the Commission, which will be established by the end of 2020 with a mandate to report within 12 months. The outcome of this review will remain grounded in a policy of active military neutrality and participative multilateralism through the UN and EU. Upon completion of the Commissions work, a permanent pay review body will be established, reflecting the unique nature of military service in the context of the public service. All recommendations by the Commission or the successor body and their implementation must be consistent with national public sector wage policy.

Overseas Operations and International Cooperation

The Government will ensure that all overseas operations will be conducted in line with our position of military neutrality and will be subject to a triple lock of UN, Government and Dáil Éireann approval. Ireland’s participation in PESCO projects will be maintained on an ‘opt-in’ basis, with contributions being entirely voluntary. Any projects undertaken within PESCO will be approved by Cabinet and Dáil Éireann. The Government will not participate in projects that are incompatible with our policy of active military neutrality and non-membership of military alliances. Within the context of the European Peace Facility, Ireland will not be part of decision-making or funding for lethal force weapons for non-peacekeeping purposes.

Additional actions

We will:

• Support the establishment of centres for retired members of the Defence Forces.

• Develop a new Institute for Peace Support and Leadership Training in the Curragh.

• Ensure that all enlisted members of the Defence Forces have the same access to health care as officers currently do.

• Amend the Organisation of Working Time Act, bringing the Defence Forces within the scope of its provisions.  "

Didn't spot a darned thing on there that "floated my boat" (pun).

Hope you've not been window shopping for a second hand aircraft carrier!

Given the reported state of the Type 23s, the only places they are going are a nation who wants them sitting alongside all the time, or to the breakers.

Talking Sushi again, I see…

Smartest thing you ever did.