Interesting articles

That's part and parcel for J2 on all DF personnel. Nothing secretive about it. If anything, I'd be surprised if they weren't already doing what the article says.

Fcuk's sake, they can't even bend a bit of tin in-house nowadays.

I actually think that neoliberal ideology is part of the reason for the slow implementation of the CoDF. Elements within government and civil service are ideologically opposed to any government spending not going to the private sector. If soldiers were agency staff costing the state 700euro a day they would find money for defence.

COS this morning is dreaming of his potenial EU Pension and Perks

https://www.thejournal.ie/ireland-sean-clancy-eumc-european-military-6379175-May2024/

Starts May 2025. He will be taking a number of personal with him. Will tie in nicely for the new defence structure with plenty of new promotions.

It will of course, but it remains a significant appointment nonetheless.

Not just to be a voice for our region and our traditions, but also as a huge learning opportunity for the Staff Officers the General will bring with him. That in turn will benefit the DF with improved knowledge, skills and systems.

There is now 12 months before the appointment commences, for arrangements to be made, and for the new CoS to be selected. An ideal juncture perhaps to have General Clancy's successor not be a CoS, but to be the first Chief of Defence.

I really don't see any downside to this decision.

He only became a 1-Star 8 weeks ago. At best he'll be in the contest to head the Land Component in the Re-org.

Is the ACoS due to retire next year? He seems younger than Class of '81

Transfer some Army Colonels to the Air Corps and navy to do Admin tasks.

We are quiet the Nation when you look at it. On the upside the examiner this morning is saying naval number are levelling off

I don't care for Shapps, but I wouldn't characterise that as a Trumpian remark for the sake of it. I think its fair comment.

Ireland needs to begin being very clear about its defence policy, vis-a-vis our neighbours and partners.

No change to military non-alignment / entry to NATO without consent of the people

Yes to increased cooperation on areas of mutual concern (cyber, undersea, trafficking etc)

Yes to vastly increased investment in order to surveil and protect our own back yard and to contribute to the regional intelligence picture

Yes to a target percentage of GNI* on Defence, but not of GDP, which is skewed in Ireland's case. 2% of GDP would mean a Defence budget of €11.5 Billion!

I wouldn't be so much concerned for the Troops themselves, as for some sort of diplomatic retaliation, perhaps a complaint from Israel to the UN about Ireland's involvement in UNIFIL, given its new political position etc etc.

Though at the same time I'm sure potential consequences of that were considered in the mix by the Government prior to this morning's announcement, and they went ahead anyway. Which is fair enough IMHO.

Do you think anyone who applies for a job is suitable for that job?

For some reason entry requirements tests and medicals have always been to really high standards. That's why you have so many Irish in the British Army who have failed at some point in the PDF process. It's been a similar story for decades.

1 in 20 is not the failure rate, it's the pass rate. 19 in 20 is the failure rate.

When you consider that only a subset of the general population is interested in the roles, it seems very high to me and absolutely should be studied.

If for example fitness is a major hurdle, more effort could be put into offering introductory training programmes. Similarly if specific medical issues are ruling out a high percentage, that could be considered. Hypothetical of course but it's a personnel crisis so they should know what's causing the issues.

The Navy dumped the test and numbers went up straight away. The other two branches should do the same otherwise its a fantasy to think they will get numbers up to level

@Larbre34 was that you on newstalk??

https://www.newstalk.com/news/national-service-in-ireland-could-be-a-real-benefit-for-young-1729053

No.

But it is interesting that a conversation has started that some said was impossible just a few months ago.

Yes, it is being prompted by political circumstances in other Countries (and in the case of the Tories it is absolute desperation to appeal to their old base), but it goes to show that the reality in Europe has shifted.

As I keep saying, when all other possibilities to staff an enlarged military, Europe-wide, have been exhausted, whatever remains, will be the solution.

Its far less likely in Ireland, but no longer impossible.