Did any of you guys read the letter with the above title in the Irish Times on Monday (13-12-04) ?
It basically referred to the recent cases when transatlantic airliners have had to land in Ireland due to security alerts - and our consequent lack of fighter escorts for said airliners.
The letter states -
"Ireland remains alone in the developed world in it's inability to intercept and escort rogue or unidentified aircraft, either with our own military resources or through our membership of a military alliance."
It also states -
"Unlike Ireland, other countries do not consider the provision of a world class health service and the security of their citizens as mutually exclusive"
This was in reference to Smithy's comment that Ireland could not have the same level of protection as other countries "....because Irish money could be better spent on the health service"
Interesting to see that there is at least one citizen concerned with defence of our airspace, eh ?!