Leo Varadkar has insisted it is “possible” to win a referendum in Ireland to join a European defence force but says there is no political support to join Nato.
The Tánaiste added that this European defence force should have “close links” to Nato, despite Ireland having “no plans” to join the military alliance.
“I do think it would be possible for us to win a referendum on joining a European defence (force) but I think that’s why it would be important for us to be a part of designing it alongside countries like Cyprus, Austria and Malta, who also don’t plan to join Nato,” he said.
“We are not members of Nato and we have no plans to join Nato, but we have never been neutral politically, we have always been on the side of democracy.”
The Fine Gael leader said the party wanted to help design the European defence, which would create a role for militarily neutral countries who want to have a role in defence.
He said that plans for this new force would be put in a “proposal to our people in a referendum, which we will have to do once [the proposal] is designed, but it’s not fully designed yet”.
However, he said there should be “very close links” between the new European force and Nato.
“Some people would talk about developing a European defence that is separate to Nato or almost in competition with Nato. That doesn’t make sense to me,” he said.
“It makes sense to me that there should be very close links between the European Union and any European defence and Nato – even though we may not be a member, we wouldn’t want to prevent cooperation or interoperability between any of those things.”
He said that Fine Gael wanted to be more involved in Pesco, the EU’s security and defence policy.
“I think Irish people have always seen defence and security as being more than military alliances so we’re very proud of the role that we’ve played in United Nations peacekeeping around the world.”
The Tánaiste was speaking at a panel discussion on rebuilding European security and defence at the European People’s Party (EPP) Congress in Rotterdam, the European grouping to which Fine Gael is aligned in the EU Parliament.
He told the panel that Ireland would increase its military spending and increase monitoring of the country’s airspace and seas.
Mr Varadkar also criticised the EU for making the “major strategic error” in relying on most of its energy supply from Russia. .
Former Dutch ambassador Robert Bosch asked the Tánaiste why he was certain that Ireland would not “see the light” and join Nato.
“In Ireland, given our tradition, there isn’t political support for joining Nato, it’s not something Irish people would want, at least the majority wouldn’t. One thing that has definitely shifted is strong support in favour of Irish participation in European defence.
“Our constitution says that we cannot form part of a full European defence without a referendum on it. And certainly from Fine Gael’s point of view, we want to be involved in constructing that European defence,” he added.
On the war in Ukraine, Mr Varadkar said there should not be a ceasefire until Russia began to retreat because, otherwise, Putin would claim victory.
He said sanctions should be “deepened and strengthened” and that “weapons and tools” should be provided to Ukraine.
Money we don’t have for stuff we don’t need.
Let’s see leo put on a pair of booths and lift a rifle before signing up our youth to fight for other nations.
Fuck him and fuck that.
I most certainly support it, but it would definitely be tight.
How about quit involving us in unnecessary conflicts. We don’t have the money nor the artillery to be toying with the idea of a multinational army. We’re not gonna be protected if we’re a part of NATO or this EU army. Because we all know some eegit leader of another country is gonna start shite and with non allied countries with us ending up in the crossfire.
If varadkar was conscripted I’d be happy
When the headline doesn’t match the actual quotes within the article.
We’ll have a nice big target on us if this happens, we’ll be at heightened risk of terror attacks and the like. Leo is pushing this as a favour to the EU where he will no doubt get a job in when he’s booted out of the country in the coming years
As any of the FG trolls and shills here will testify I hold them and their party in contempt. The fake dispute over headline/article is garbage. Headline is close enough to what he says.
He is absolutely correct about our need to join with fellow EU states in a far stronger alliance. He is probably correct in saying NATO is a bridge too far but he is not a stupid man and he knows NATO is doomed when Trump or Trumpist is President again.
I’m giving full marks to Varadkar here. A tragedy FG has been captured by West Brits and libertarian free marketeers over housing.
Fuck off Leo. No idea how you keep getting voted in, anyone in Dub15 I know thinks your a twat.
Ireland survived World War II unscratched because we maintained neutrality. While the rest of Europe was bombed into oblivion and its people killed by the millions, Ireland stayed out of the mess and everyone here survived the war.
America is fighting a proxy war against Russia in Ukraine. America wants to weaken Russia, but not to have its own troops die in the process. America would like nothing more than to see the war expand and draw in more European countries. By America’s logic anything that hurts Russia is good for America.
I do not want to see Irish sons dying for American politicians and corporations. America has destroyed half the countries in the Middle East and now is starting the same process in Europe. Ireland needs to stay completely out of all military adventurism in Europe.
Genuinely can’t think of a worse politician to try and get this over the line. Is he as savvy as his fans in the media make it out to be? It would ruin him across the EU if and when NO is the outcome.
I’d love to see him front and center during any type of conflict.
He already promised this to his masters last week in Davos. Won’t be long before the Irish army is in a real
war. Sooner people realise that him and Micheal are puppets for globalist organisations. If people thinks it’s bad now it’s going a be a million times worse.
In what world does he think that’s possible
Man is delusional.
Ireland are a neutral country.
Given the rumours about his future and the audience he was speaking to, there is a good possibility that this is part of him pitching for a big EU/international position.
He’s not dense enough to think running such a campaign would result in this outcome, and is a regular for self-serving stuff like this (and his constant populist promises about tax cuts for the middle class that never materialise). You can’t take most things he says at face value.
Strong feeling if Ireland votes no there will be another vote in a year’s time with new ” amendments” made
Must have gotten some pep talk at Davos last week
Nope
Let’s say for a second Russia attacks Poland. Instantly NATO is at way and this EU defence force comes into play. Who is in charge Poland NATO the US the EU?
Fuck that let’s stay out of it.
Ireland is unique in geographical terms and foreign relations plus already extremely close ties with our western allies, i just don’t see any country attacking Ireland it will be a total waste of money and on top of everything more beurocracy and paperwork for our already incompetent government that isn’t able to solve the housing crisis since the dawn of time. Strong NO in a referendum u can fuk off with that
I’m not sure that it’s up to him to “secure” anything. It’s something for an in-depth, broad based and robust national debate and the public will decide one way or the other.
I can’t see it changing very much. All the talk that kicks off about conscription and so on is absolute garbage. I honestly don’t see Ireland making very much of a viable contribution to a common EU defence as we don’t invest anything in our own defence in the first place.
All the EU will end up with is a coordination body, not an army.
If we could at least get some viable active radar systems to monitor airspace and improved cyber security it would be useful!
23 comments
Article:
Leo Varadkar has insisted it is “possible” to win a referendum in Ireland to join a European defence force but says there is no political support to join Nato.
The Tánaiste added that this European defence force should have “close links” to Nato, despite Ireland having “no plans” to join the military alliance.
“I do think it would be possible for us to win a referendum on joining a European defence (force) but I think that’s why it would be important for us to be a part of designing it alongside countries like Cyprus, Austria and Malta, who also don’t plan to join Nato,” he said.
“We are not members of Nato and we have no plans to join Nato, but we have never been neutral politically, we have always been on the side of democracy.”
The Fine Gael leader said the party wanted to help design the European defence, which would create a role for militarily neutral countries who want to have a role in defence.
He said that plans for this new force would be put in a “proposal to our people in a referendum, which we will have to do once [the proposal] is designed, but it’s not fully designed yet”.
However, he said there should be “very close links” between the new European force and Nato.
“Some people would talk about developing a European defence that is separate to Nato or almost in competition with Nato. That doesn’t make sense to me,” he said.
“It makes sense to me that there should be very close links between the European Union and any European defence and Nato – even though we may not be a member, we wouldn’t want to prevent cooperation or interoperability between any of those things.”
He said that Fine Gael wanted to be more involved in Pesco, the EU’s security and defence policy.
“I think Irish people have always seen defence and security as being more than military alliances so we’re very proud of the role that we’ve played in United Nations peacekeeping around the world.”
The Tánaiste was speaking at a panel discussion on rebuilding European security and defence at the European People’s Party (EPP) Congress in Rotterdam, the European grouping to which Fine Gael is aligned in the EU Parliament.
He told the panel that Ireland would increase its military spending and increase monitoring of the country’s airspace and seas.
Mr Varadkar also criticised the EU for making the “major strategic error” in relying on most of its energy supply from Russia. .
Former Dutch ambassador Robert Bosch asked the Tánaiste why he was certain that Ireland would not “see the light” and join Nato.
“In Ireland, given our tradition, there isn’t political support for joining Nato, it’s not something Irish people would want, at least the majority wouldn’t. One thing that has definitely shifted is strong support in favour of Irish participation in European defence.
“Our constitution says that we cannot form part of a full European defence without a referendum on it. And certainly from Fine Gael’s point of view, we want to be involved in constructing that European defence,” he added.
On the war in Ukraine, Mr Varadkar said there should not be a ceasefire until Russia began to retreat because, otherwise, Putin would claim victory.
He said sanctions should be “deepened and strengthened” and that “weapons and tools” should be provided to Ukraine.
Money we don’t have for stuff we don’t need.
Let’s see leo put on a pair of booths and lift a rifle before signing up our youth to fight for other nations.
Fuck him and fuck that.
I most certainly support it, but it would definitely be tight.
How about quit involving us in unnecessary conflicts. We don’t have the money nor the artillery to be toying with the idea of a multinational army. We’re not gonna be protected if we’re a part of NATO or this EU army. Because we all know some eegit leader of another country is gonna start shite and with non allied countries with us ending up in the crossfire.
If varadkar was conscripted I’d be happy
When the headline doesn’t match the actual quotes within the article.
We’ll have a nice big target on us if this happens, we’ll be at heightened risk of terror attacks and the like. Leo is pushing this as a favour to the EU where he will no doubt get a job in when he’s booted out of the country in the coming years
As any of the FG trolls and shills here will testify I hold them and their party in contempt. The fake dispute over headline/article is garbage. Headline is close enough to what he says.
He is absolutely correct about our need to join with fellow EU states in a far stronger alliance. He is probably correct in saying NATO is a bridge too far but he is not a stupid man and he knows NATO is doomed when Trump or Trumpist is President again.
I’m giving full marks to Varadkar here. A tragedy FG has been captured by West Brits and libertarian free marketeers over housing.
Fuck off Leo. No idea how you keep getting voted in, anyone in Dub15 I know thinks your a twat.
Ireland survived World War II unscratched because we maintained neutrality. While the rest of Europe was bombed into oblivion and its people killed by the millions, Ireland stayed out of the mess and everyone here survived the war.
America is fighting a proxy war against Russia in Ukraine. America wants to weaken Russia, but not to have its own troops die in the process. America would like nothing more than to see the war expand and draw in more European countries. By America’s logic anything that hurts Russia is good for America.
I do not want to see Irish sons dying for American politicians and corporations. America has destroyed half the countries in the Middle East and now is starting the same process in Europe. Ireland needs to stay completely out of all military adventurism in Europe.
Genuinely can’t think of a worse politician to try and get this over the line. Is he as savvy as his fans in the media make it out to be? It would ruin him across the EU if and when NO is the outcome.
I’d love to see him front and center during any type of conflict.
He already promised this to his masters last week in Davos. Won’t be long before the Irish army is in a real
war. Sooner people realise that him and Micheal are puppets for globalist organisations. If people thinks it’s bad now it’s going a be a million times worse.
In what world does he think that’s possible
Man is delusional.
Ireland are a neutral country.
Given the rumours about his future and the audience he was speaking to, there is a good possibility that this is part of him pitching for a big EU/international position.
He’s not dense enough to think running such a campaign would result in this outcome, and is a regular for self-serving stuff like this (and his constant populist promises about tax cuts for the middle class that never materialise). You can’t take most things he says at face value.
Strong feeling if Ireland votes no there will be another vote in a year’s time with new ” amendments” made
Must have gotten some pep talk at Davos last week
Nope
Let’s say for a second Russia attacks Poland. Instantly NATO is at way and this EU defence force comes into play. Who is in charge Poland NATO the US the EU?
Fuck that let’s stay out of it.
Ireland is unique in geographical terms and foreign relations plus already extremely close ties with our western allies, i just don’t see any country attacking Ireland it will be a total waste of money and on top of everything more beurocracy and paperwork for our already incompetent government that isn’t able to solve the housing crisis since the dawn of time. Strong NO in a referendum u can fuk off with that
I’m not sure that it’s up to him to “secure” anything. It’s something for an in-depth, broad based and robust national debate and the public will decide one way or the other.
I can’t see it changing very much. All the talk that kicks off about conscription and so on is absolute garbage. I honestly don’t see Ireland making very much of a viable contribution to a common EU defence as we don’t invest anything in our own defence in the first place.
All the EU will end up with is a coordination body, not an army.
If we could at least get some viable active radar systems to monitor airspace and improved cyber security it would be useful!