New Defence Minister

[Dublin Spotter]

Now that is it offical, Smith "resigned", what will the future be for the Air Corp now that Willie O'Dea has taken over the reigns?

[futurepilot]

too soon to tell methinks, although its hard to see how he can do a worse  job(touching all the wood I can)

[Imshi-Yallah]

Next up the retitling of the portfolio to minister for VIP transport.

[pilatus]

thats brilliant!but it really summed up alot of defence ministers that we have been blessed(cough yawn)with

[Fouga]

i reckon he cant do much worse.

[Imshi-Yallah]

If I were you Fouga I'd trawl the dail records on defence, it can get much worse...how do you think we ended up with POS fougas in the first place.

[Flyboy]

Is Defence Minister in the cabinet a kind of "booby" prize in Ireland. Imagine the scene.

Bertie: The good news is I am making you a Minister, the bad news is ........ it's Defence.

[Silver]

When I first saw O Dea's name I thought "Wha?!" ........... but let's give him a chance *fingers crossed*.

[sealion]

I recon GASU will be living in Limerick from now on '> And the ARW will be patrolling the streets of limerick in the new Jeep thingys.

[Stinger]

There might be some merit in the GASU idea.  Good oul Willie can build a small airstation ourside Limerick which could then be used by the CASA and on training flights

[Fouga]

now thats an idea!

[sealion]

I'm sure the Defender could land in Coonagh. Thats almost in limerick.

[IAS]

I thought there was a small air station outside of Limerick called......Shannon '>

IAS

[sealion]

Different constituency.

[xpih]

Minister O'Dea has rattled his first sword...

From The Sunday Times, October 03, 2004:
"WILLIE O’DEA has said that one of his first actions as Ireland’s new minister for defence will be to investigate allegations that the American secret service has been illegally transporting prisoners through Shannon airport. "

Full text available in this PPRUNE thread...

http://www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?threadid=146979