Should the Defence Forces Sign up to any Military?

[FiannaFail]

This will become a major political issue in the very near future. What are your views lads?
FF '>

[batafada]

NATO would be the absolute last resort , with us with zero input and everything orchestrated by the superpower
3000 miles away .thanks , but no thanks .   '>

[FiannaFail]

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Sorry Folks but the Title should have read ....any military alliances.
FF

[FiannaFail]

Interesting news out in Saturday's Irish Times folks.  In a public poll the majority of those questioned were in favour of Ireland joining a Common European Defence Pact!!  This would open great potential/possibilites for major development of the Irish Defence Forces including new investment in equipment in the Air Corps!!  My fear of a possible  referendum on this issue may be too negative.
Any views my friends?
FF '>  '>  

[Imshi-Yallah]

Not keen on NATO, Think it would be better for us to stick with europe, at least it has some redeeming features

[John K]

I recall back in 1976 (as a gungy, septic, junior apprentice) we were told by 'The Gut' that soon Ireland would be joining NATO and we'd be getting a new uniform and proper fighters and we looked out the window and saw the pigs lined up on 29 ready for take off! Well the new uniform turned up about 20 years later! But a common EU pact must be worth looking into. At least that way you could go to Brussels with the begging bowl and some reasons for the good people of Europe to fill it with cash for new aircraft to patrol a very large area of the Western flank, instead of just letting them do it for themselves.

[Silver]

Common EU Defence pact.
This is a major change of position for me. I have always advocated remaining neutral in the past.
However, after seeing America's performance recently, I believe we need a counter-balance to their "world domination" posturing.

Silver.

FF, if you were a member of the DF, which clearly you are not, you would know that the DF does not sign up to anything, they just obey the government, that's usually comprised of wa**ers in a party with strangely enough the same name as you.
For once, however, you were right, moves have started in Europe to begin some new kind of military alliance, one wonders what way the cowardly scum currently in government will react to this.

[FiannaFail]

Interesting info folks - it seems the majority of us would see the benefit of joining up an alliance of some sort or other.  However I fear if this was put to a referendum today the majority of the voters would vote for neutrality.  How do we bring the issue to the people in a positive manner?  A time to talk to all our politicians - of any party...let our voices be heard.  I for one fully support the idea of lobbying all politicians of behalf of our Defence Forces and especially the IAC but very few people would agree with me on this and will not lobby but constantly complain that the political parties have no interest in military issues. Off uor bums folks!
FF '>

[irishsamourai]

stay in a EU defence pact , because if you enter in NATO IAC need to have CAP capacity and with the problem of money of your government ,you can just buy the missiles for the aircraft.
Austrian stay neutral but does air training with switzerland or france.

[Irish Marine]

I think that Ireland needs to join the EU Pact. It scares me that the government has let the defence forces fall behind.  The bottom line is can the Republic handle security problems let alone joining a pact?  '>  '>  

[Irish Marine]

Its time for huge changes in the Irish Defence Forces and maybe its time Ireland joined NATO!!!!  '>  '>