Not exactly surprising considering we have all of 8 propeller planes and no radar to defend ourselves with
yes , its been known for decades , you assume its new
I do hope Willie responded when asked with DUUUUUR!!!
Yea of course we do.
It’s probably been there since the last world war.
He looks like he is in costume.
Kinda like the Toymaker from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Old news is old.
While the histories of our countries is of course important it’s mostly optics of the 1 country we’ve ever fought a war against now protecting us. I’m more interested in the practicalities and legal implications.
Information sharing is grand and to be expected between friendly neighbours the concern is the defense aspect, RAF planes over Irish skies and defensive actions if required. Where is the line constitutionally? Are Irish laws being broken as a part of this agreement? Why is it a “secret” agreement?
Maybe a bit tinfoil hat but I have noticed that the british military finds loopholes around recruiting in Ireland. Earlier this year reddit was full of recruitment ads for the british military and geo location should have been able to separate Ireland from the UK quite easily like YouTube does despite otherwise not distinguishing. It is illegal for foreign militaries to recruit in Ireland and I have never seen an ad for the French or Australian militaries in Ireland but I have seen plenty for the british military. Is this part of the “secret” agreement? RAF defends and polices Irish airspace and we quietly allow them to recruit Irish people? That would be illegal and a serious act of corruption committed by anyone with knowledge of it.
The “management” of this is the interesting bit. Willie is sent out to make reassuring noises and the background party members nod sagely in serious agreement. FF circa 2004. Bad news guys, we grew up.
The truth of it is such an agreement means we are a British protectorate. It reduces us to a type of Home Rule. It makes a nonsense of the talk of neutrality. It reduces our sovereignty to that which lies within the gift of the British govt.
As a sovereign state should you rely on a neighbour for one of the most important aspects of defence, air cover . At a guess it isn’t a money issue if you consider comparable populated eu states who have fast jet cover, usually US aircraft f15 f16 of their own airforce.
Why did they semi-pretend this wasn’t the case for so long?
Let’s look at this realistically.
If we built up our military the UK would probably invade us just like Russia is invading Ukraine.
Why bother buying our own planes under these terms.
12 comments
Not exactly surprising considering we have all of 8 propeller planes and no radar to defend ourselves with
yes , its been known for decades , you assume its new
I do hope Willie responded when asked with DUUUUUR!!!
Yea of course we do.
It’s probably been there since the last world war.
He looks like he is in costume.
Kinda like the Toymaker from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Old news is old.
While the histories of our countries is of course important it’s mostly optics of the 1 country we’ve ever fought a war against now protecting us. I’m more interested in the practicalities and legal implications.
Information sharing is grand and to be expected between friendly neighbours the concern is the defense aspect, RAF planes over Irish skies and defensive actions if required. Where is the line constitutionally? Are Irish laws being broken as a part of this agreement? Why is it a “secret” agreement?
Maybe a bit tinfoil hat but I have noticed that the british military finds loopholes around recruiting in Ireland. Earlier this year reddit was full of recruitment ads for the british military and geo location should have been able to separate Ireland from the UK quite easily like YouTube does despite otherwise not distinguishing. It is illegal for foreign militaries to recruit in Ireland and I have never seen an ad for the French or Australian militaries in Ireland but I have seen plenty for the british military. Is this part of the “secret” agreement? RAF defends and polices Irish airspace and we quietly allow them to recruit Irish people? That would be illegal and a serious act of corruption committed by anyone with knowledge of it.
The “management” of this is the interesting bit. Willie is sent out to make reassuring noises and the background party members nod sagely in serious agreement. FF circa 2004. Bad news guys, we grew up.
Of course it’s not good enough. FFG are currently arguing in the High Court that such an agreement if it even exists isn’t any business of the Dáil or the High Court to check if it’s constitutional. [LINK HERE AND READ IT CAREFULLY](https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/secret-raf-intercept-arrangement-cannot-be-considered-by-courts-claims-state-1479176.html)
The truth of it is such an agreement means we are a British protectorate. It reduces us to a type of Home Rule. It makes a nonsense of the talk of neutrality. It reduces our sovereignty to that which lies within the gift of the British govt.
But relax. Willie is on the job. Jesus wept.
https://preview.redd.it/lgaihjwugqcb1.jpeg?width=200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=57249ef7266ce8bcd49c73d34e1f824d1a663976
As a sovereign state should you rely on a neighbour for one of the most important aspects of defence, air cover . At a guess it isn’t a money issue if you consider comparable populated eu states who have fast jet cover, usually US aircraft f15 f16 of their own airforce.
Why did they semi-pretend this wasn’t the case for so long?
Let’s look at this realistically.
If we built up our military the UK would probably invade us just like Russia is invading Ukraine.
Why bother buying our own planes under these terms.