Dáil quotes

[n-e-foo]

"I heard that the United States Government some time ago offered us an interest free loan to purchase ships and weapons from the United States. The only snag is that they would service them and supply the spare parts. Now that the United States has withdrawn from South Vietnam there is a huge volume of surplus military equipment in the US."

02 May, 1973

http://www.oireachtas-debates.gov.ie/D/0155/D.0155.195603130024.html

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In this one from 1988, if i'm reading it right, states that an average of about 380 USAF aircraft flew over Ireland, EACH MONTH! It peaked at  604!

http://www.oireachtas-debates.gov.ie/D/0155/D.0155.195603130024.html

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I think this is funny seeing as we reckon the RAF are obliged to look after Ireland:

We have always recognised Britain's legitimate concern that her western flank should be secure. As far back as 1921, Eamon de Valera stated quite clearly that we would provide for our own defence, that we would guarantee to repel by force any foreign power, and that we would allow no outside nation to use Ireland as a base for attack on Britain. That policy clearly enunciated many times by Eamon de Valera is still our policy.

11 March, 1981
http://www.oireachtas-debates.gov.ie/D/0155/D.0155.195603130024.html

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Also of note is the delay of Dauphin into Irish service. The delay seemingly centred around the advanced equipment the air corps wanted fitted to it.. Aerospatiale were spending the time trying to size down the computer systems to save weight/space. And now these aircraft are on the brink of retirement?! As someone pointed out before, surely with the advances in computer technology the Dauphins could be upgraded and have a useful future with the Air Corps?!

Anyways theres just a few.. go and have a search yourselves, god only knows what you'll turn up