suggesting that we ditch our neutrality at the side of the road? Now that to
me is beyond the beyonds of acceptability! Yes cyber terrorism is a worry but
I can't save I've ever heard of a case of an Irish solder being injured or
worse by cases of it, what we will be hearing though is cases of our troops
being killed off fighting other nations wars if we lose our neutrality. Our
tradition of neutrality, which Deputy goes further back then The Emergency
which this publication would have us believe, but back to the Spanish Civil
War, with the Spanish Civil War Act, 1937, protects not just our troops, but
our cities and towns from attack. London and Madrid weren't attacked by
terrorists just because of their opposition to domestic policy. The last
thing any of us want Deputy is an attack akin to the Dublin bombings in 74,
and our policy of neutrality gives us a strong line of defence against that.
As for our current Triple Lock policy I would strongly advocate its
abolition. I do not know what possessed the government of the time to sign up
to it. Why should we go to the UN before we even consider looking at our
troops to even an inch north of the border? Or one of our navel ships a
nautical mile outside Irish waters? Say hypothetically a situation occurred
just like the Battle of Bogside in Derry, only worse in intensity and
Westminster was refusing to act on it. An Operation Armageddon style mission
would not be able to proceed with articles 2&3 of Bunreacht Na nÉireann
removed. If things became worse then 69, the British vetoed every attempt to
get the UN to act where exactly do we stand? I'll tell you Deputy, at the
border sheltering from the rain in tents. I would propose that we go back to
the system inplace before entering the Triple Lock, that would be
governmental, Oireachtas and Presidential approval. Are we not a Sovereign
nation Deputy? Or are we in the same league as Kosovo pre-independence?
As for the Defence Forces themselfs I have a few suggestions for you Deputy I
would like to share with you. I would propose the expansion of our Military
Police force, or even the setting up for a force similar to the Spanish
Guardia Civil. Such a force could takeover rolls from the Gardai such as
anti-terrorism, border security at airports,ports and at the border,
coastguard duty, bombsquad duties amongst others. Such a force would free up
garda time and resources, and with these times of austerity the new force
could take over the closed garda barracks.
When it comes to Defence Force equipment I would propose that the Department
either finds Irish suppliers for the items needed, and if not available have
the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation encourage one of the many
unemployed to set up a business that could provide the equipment. You never
know Deputy, we might be able to get ourselfs out of this recession thanks to
military supplies. To my knowledge this nation doesn't produce firearms or
ammunition, I'd like to know why? There has to be an empty factory on the
island that could be converted to fit the purpose. All military expenditure
could be kept in the country with just a bit of thought. Everything from the
rifle on a solders back down to their boots could easily have a Guaranteed
Irish stamp on it. Would also be good for exports. We're world famous for
Guinness, why not military jackets & sidearms?
My next suggestion might be stretching legality
Department a few shillings in the long run. I'm
arms taken off criminals and paramilitaries but
reconditioned and given to our troops? Even for
aswell get some use out of the arms now they're
a bit but could save the
not too sure what happens to
surely they could be
training purposes. Might
on the island.
As for the barracks that have recently been shut, such as Mullingar I would
propose that they are reopened as soon as possible and occupied with troops.
A force of 10,500 troops might look well on paper but nobody knows what
around the corner. Whos to say things won't deteriorate with the British
overnight & before we know it Dublin is overrun with foreign troops? Its best
to be safe then sorry when planning our nations security and safety. Our
Navel Force Deputy is too small to be patrolling our waters, I would propose
doubling the amount of ships and Seamen/women. As for our Air Corps the
equipment and aircraft our brave men and women use is a disgrace and a
security issue that needs to be addressed sooner rather the later! We had
better aircraft during the Emergency, wouldn't surprise me in the least
Deputy if we are still using the same ones, or foreign ones that crashlanded
and repaired. I don't know what to suggest here as I haven't a notion on
military aircraft but surely we could get a few decent jets that could not
only keep the nations airspace safe and secure but also that are fighting
fit. I hardly think our current capabilities are a deterrent to anyone,
except perhaps Liechtenstein but I'm sure they'd even give us a run for our
money equipment wise.
I would propose the re-introduction of the LDF, think the Reserve Forces only
less formal. Normal citizens could be given skills such as first-aid, basic
rifle skills, training in urban warfare that sort of thing. No skill is ever
wasted Deputy, and in Irelands hour of need personally I would rather a bit
more knowledge & skill then how to use a hurley and a stone against whoever
is threatening our way of life and our homes. I maybe young and tall Deputy
but I hardly think brawn is any use is some hostile force is look at me at
the end of a gun, no matter how patriotic I am. Could also be a bit of a
moral boost in these dark days, install a bit of patriotism in citizens,
hardly a bad thing.
As for the Minister of Defence I would propose that Minister Shatter either
picks Justice or Defence for himself and let An Taoiseach choose someone else
for the vacant roll. I'm not saying anything but I know personally I'd rather
the Gardai and the Military be separate at the cabinet table, plus is it not
a bit difficult to be keeping up with current events in each department when
he has to keep an office in Stephens Green and another in Newbridge?
I hope you concerns and suggestions find you in good health Deputy and that
you pay them some heed. I only inform you of them out of a sense of
patriotism and loyalty to this island
Is Mise Le Meas
Mark Egan