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Fighter jets for the Air Corps?

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  • Registered Users Posts: 5,284 ✭✭✭source


    But neither you or I are constitutional lawyers. So we are not qualified to make that call and that us why being able to bring cases like this are so important.

    The whole world already knows that we cannot defend ourselves, we've just released a public report that confirms it. A legal challenge like this won't make us worse off, but may tip the government's hand to make us better.

    Worst case scenario is that the court decides that the agreement isn't unconstitutional and we continue with LOA2.

    On your last paragraph, that is the exact point I'm making but from a different viewpoint, they legislate within the framework of the constitution and not outside it. Yes we can change the constitution, but we haven't even had official confirmation that the agreement exists, nevermind a decision on it's constitutionality.

    The case is important as it will 1 formally confirm whether the agreement exists or not and 2 confirm whether or not it is constitutionally sound. If it is, then it continues and the population is aware of the agreement. If not then it cannot stand and the government is forced to either change the constitution or provide a better ability to defend the country.



  • Registered Users Posts: 3,442 ✭✭✭Dohvolle


    Not really.

    Fact is the RAF are struggling to cover their own commitments, at home and overseas at present.

    If they are covering our skies (and I don't believe they are) this might be the incentive for the british public to kick up and say "we can barely look after our own".

    And any posturing of either side regarding the security of Irish Sovereign airspace is back to a big zero, no ifs, buts or maybe.



  • Registered Users Posts: 3,943 ✭✭✭sparky42


    you assume there’s enough interest in the British military by their public?



  • Registered Users Posts: 3,442 ✭✭✭Dohvolle


    They are a considerable lobby group, compared to here.



  • Registered Users Posts: 3,943 ✭✭✭sparky42


    and yet by any margin the British military has declined over the last 14 years of Tories (and really longer with the GWOT)without much public protest or complaint, hell I wonder how many “Joe public” would know about the RFA strike, or the laid up hulls both RN and RFA, or the small size of the RAF, or any of the hundred and one issues they have.



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  • Registered Users Posts: 1,100 ✭✭✭jonnybigwallet


    WIth all the money the government has at it's disposal that they are splashing around.....they should splash a billion on buying a proper "Air Force".



  • Registered Users Posts: 3,943 ✭✭✭sparky42


    They want to buy votes, spending on defence won’t do that.



  • Registered Users Posts: 3,442 ✭✭✭Dohvolle


    There will be a Big Shake up in the UK military under labour. Their Defence people hit the ground running already this week, with another defence review on the cards (unlike our ones, which take ages, and nothing happens). Talk of increasing defence spending to 2.5% of GDP(Currently 2.3%).

    Tories loved waving the flag, but have left the entire defence sector in the UK decline to an almost terminal level. Veterans were actively campaigning against the former Tory veterans minister, who lost his seat, and now looks like he'll face prosecution for refusing to give evidence at the Afghanistan inquiry. May even face jail. Ex 3 RHA Captain Mercer lost his seat to an ex RM captain.



  • Registered Users Posts: 237 ✭✭mupper2


    And how could we forget Johnny Mercer's take on historical crimes committed by British forces in Northern Ireland….he won't be missed.



  • Registered Users Posts: 3,943 ✭✭✭sparky42


    the suggestion of 2.5% is clearly being stated “as the economy can support it” over the lifetime of the government, it’s not something that is likely to happen swiftly, let alone their current 2.3% is a bit of clever accounting by sticking pensions into the total.



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  • Registered Users Posts: 3,442 ✭✭✭Dohvolle


    Sure we do the exact same here. Our Pay & Pensions bill is about 70% of our defence spend.



  • Registered Users Posts: 1,100 ✭✭✭jonnybigwallet


    Exactly...Doesn't leave much over to buy some nice new kit. Tis a bleedin scandal but it seems to be what the electorate want!



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