The UK, on occasion, scrambles jets to intercept unresponsive aircraft in Irish-controlled airspace but make no mistake, the UK is not protecting Irish airspace.

This article is a fact-checking article, if you believe we’ve made an error you can submit a correction in line with our correction policy.

First, let’s take a look at the air policing side of things with regards to the Flight Information Region Ireland is responsible for.

What’s the situation?

Basically, the Royal Air Force launches Typhoon fighter jets to intercept unidentified aircraft in the Irish ‘Flight Information Region’ for air policing duties because Ireland is incapable of doing so itself.

Make no mistake, the UK is not selflessly defending Irish airspace as this agreement is mutually beneficial to both states. Due to the speed of modern aircraft, the UK needs to be able to intercept aircraft even as far southwest as Ireland. Additionally, the controversial agreement also reportedly allows British aircraft to transit sovereign Irish airspace (different from the Flight Information Region mentioned above) should that be required.

What’s the difference? Sovereign airspace (shown below) extends 12 miles from the coastline and is part of Irish territory however Flight Information Regions (shown above) are designed to ensure the safety of civil aviation and have provision for air traffic control services provided by a nation nearby.

What’s the issue? Russia isn’t going to bomb Ireland, the issue is much simpler. Russian military aviation often flies through these Flight Information Regions without filing a flight plan or talking to air traffic control.

This turns them into stealth aircraft for a country with no ‘primary radar’ able to see them. This is dangerous due to the presence of airliners. When a fighter intercepts Russian aircraft it shows where the unresponsive aircraft is and allows for civilian traffic to be moved. The below image shows a normal day for air traffic in the region, it is incredibly busy.

Ireland operates ‘The Air Corps’, the service provides military support to the Irish Army and Naval Service but lacks any jet combat aircraft capable of intercepting Russian aircraft, as such British jets undertake the role.

This leads to the mistaken belief that Britain is responsible for Irish air defence, it is not. People on both sides of the Irish Sea however are aware that Ireland benefits significantly from this arrangement as it helps ensure the safety of Irish-controlled airspace.

There are discussions ongoing in Ireland to examine options to remedy this, including the purchase of fighter jets as my terrible mockup illustrates, but what will happen remains to be seen.

As I said abve, the UK isn’t protecting Irish airspace, intercepting aircradt in the Flight Information Region as far away from the UK as possible benefits the UK but it’s not lost on people on both sides of the Irish Sea that Ireland benefits.

Many are likely to ask why Russia would aim to provoke Ireland? According to Dr Edward Burke, the director of the Centre for Conflict, Security and Terrorism at the University of Nottingham:

“The principal reason is that, from a Russian perspective, Ireland is a significant piece on the geopolitical chessboard. Situated between two of Russia’s principal adversaries, the United States and the UK, Ireland lacks the air defence capabilities to deter or defend against such provocative sorties into its airspace.

The Russian air force knows that it can approach or even enter Irish airspace with far less immediate and serious consequences than if it did the same to other north Atlantic countries such as Iceland where there is a Nato air policing mission – or Norway, which has a well-resourced air force capable of quickly intercepting suspected incursions.”

Why is this done?

All airspace around the world is divided into Flight Information Regions (FIRs). Each FIR is managed by a controlling authority (in this case the UK) that has responsibility for ensuring that air traffic services are provided to the aircraft flying within it.

Why? Andy Netherwood explains the reasons why here, but in summary:

“The first is flight safety. Whilst sovereign airspace only extends 12 miles from the coastline, countries are responsible for ensuring the safety of civil aviation, including the provision of ATC services, within areas known as Flight Information Regions or FIRs. These extend well beyond the 12-mile limit. Russian long range aviation often transits the London and Scottish FIRs without filing a flight plan, talking to ATC or ‘squawking’ (operating their transponders). 

This makes them effectively invisible to civilian ATC and is very dangerous as airliners are also flying through this airspace.  By shadowing Russian aircraft, the intercepting aircraft can show ATC where they are, allowing controllers to move airliners safely out of the way.

The second reason is because of the speed at which aircraft travel.  An aircraft flying at 600 knots will travel 12 miles in little over a minute.  Waiting until an unknown or hostile aircraft has entered sovereign airspace before intercepting is too late.

It leaves insufficient time to safely carry out the intercept, visually identify the aircraft, provide all the required information back to decision-makers, and carry out any necessary action. Russian aircraft will normally be intercepted by the Norwegian Air Force and then handed over to RAF aircraft ensuring they are continually shadowed.”

This isn’t as straightforward as it seems however, an often mentioned but secretive agreement also exists that allows UK combat aircraft to fly over the Republic of Ireland.

Although the RAF have never requested access, nor are they ever likely to, Senator Gerard Craughwell told the Seanad that allowing Royal Air Force fighter jets access to Irish airspace on the request of Ireland interferes with Ireland’s sovereignty.

Mr Craughwell was referencing a bilateral agreement between Ireland’s Department of Defence, Department of Foreign Affairs and the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) with British counterparts: the RAF, the Civil Aviation Authority, the Ministry of Defence, and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

“The Constitution is the most sacred document in the country. It drives everything we do and should control everything that takes place in this House. I refer to Article 15.6 on the right to raise and maintain military forces, which right rests exclusively with the Oireachtas. Imagine my shock at the weekend when I discovered that an agreement had been signed between this country and the United Kingdom granting permission to the United Kingdom to scramble fighter jets in Irish airspace.

The agreement was signed by the Department of Defence, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Irish Aviation Authority, which is not even a body responsible to the Oireachtas but a semi-State body. The agreement was signed before either this or the last Government came to power. I can find no evidence anywhere of Oireachtas oversight of the agreement or of a ministerial signature on it.

It creates a merger or a partnership in respect of our sovereignty. We talk about our sovereignty all the time, yet we are allowing jets of the Royal Air Force, RAF, to fly over the country. The director of Irish military aviation and the general officer commanding, GOC, of the Air Corps has no knowledge whatsoever of the agreement. It is my understanding that when he learned of it, he was taken into a room, shown the agreement and promptly sent home without a copy of it. The person with responsibility for military aviation in this country was not a party to the agreement.”

In simple terms, what is this agreement for?

It is understood that the agreement allows British combat aircraft to transit sovereign Irish airspace for air counter-terrorism duties which includes responding to things like unresponsive airliners, hijackings etc. Only at the request of Ireland, though.

George Allison
George Allison
George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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236 COMMENTS

  1. It shows how bent politics is in Ireland that such an agreement can exist without ministerial approval. They don’t want to pay to police their own air space but they don’t want to be crucified by the media and electorate for requesting the RAF to do it for them. I hope they at least make a significant financial contribution for the service they receive.

    • They are unlikely to pay for it and that is fine. The UK wants the capability and it is in the interests of the UK to do so. It just happens that it is also in the defence interests of Ireland too. The UK is effectively policing the airspace as if Ireland was not there.

    • There was Ministerial approval… the article clearly states that both Dept. of Defence and Foreign Affairs negotiated the agreement. No negotiations or agreements could take place without Ministerial approval.

    • My assumption is that there are sufficient major mutual security, safety and other benefits that payment in financial terms is probably not necessary.

  2. A long winded way of saying they are free loading cheapskates that don’t want to pay for their own defence properly simple as. It’s a common theme among the western world

  3. Ireland is easily able to afford an air defence squadron of Eurofighter typhoons or Grippens, they choose not to as it’s much easier and cheaper to just allow the RAF to do this role for them. Does Ireland pay the UK for these interceptions? No. Is Ireland even grateful for British protection and its air defence umbrella? Dont think so.
    Problem is NATO needs to keep Ireland on-side as without access to Irish airspace patrol of the eastern Atlantic ocean approaches becomes very difficult.
    Summary: Ireland should pay for the costs of operating a small force of interceptor jets 1-2 squadrons.

    • ‘Problem is NATO needs to keep Ireland on-side as without access to Irish airspace patrol of the eastern Atlantic ocean approaches becomes very difficult’

      That is a major reason why the RAF does this. If that wasn’t the case there would be no RAF involvement. It suits both sides.

      • The bears are free to fly over the Eastern Atlantic so it doesn’t make much difference. If the Irish are not paying the UK for policing their air space the bears should be free to fly over Shannon and Dublin airports uninterrupted until the Irish state cough up the money. It won’t take them long to do it.

        • And in the meantime the UK would be at risk. If the Russians can fly over Irish airspace without interception from the RAF then they could get within a few miles of the UK mainland.

          Think with common sense rather than nationalistic craziness.

          • No nationalistic crazyness, RAF jets can track them from the Scotland and London FIR zones. But you are missing the point. If the the UK refused to do it without compensation the Irish government would quickly find the cash to avoid a collision over their airspace and should have been factored into the original agreement if it was not done so. Its the principle of free loading and pretending to hate the English I have a problem with. Also if Ireland does not want to join nato and remain neutral they really should be policing their own airspace.

          • so what was happening at the height of the cold war? Russian aircraft buzzing the british isles is hardly new. were the RAF routinely overflying Ireland in the 70s and 80s?

          • I think A radar station could be built in Northern Ireland, on high ground to the rear of Derry?

          • The 2015 White Paper had plans for Radar Stations along the West Coast if funding became available, given the current likely Global Recession I doubt that will happen.

      • I doubt they would get much intel. The F35 would have its radar reflectors mounted in order to hide its stealth signature and would likely have most of its most secret radar systems turned off.

      • According to a former IAC General, that’s about a billion a year… The entire DF budget is barely a billion euro’s and you’d be talking years if not a decade to build up the AC to support such numbers.

          • Forget the GDP rating, it doesn’t mean anything for Ireland not with how some of the calculations (like that strange one about how booking of leased aircraft are added to Irish GDP).

            It’s most likely closer to .5 of GNI.

            As for reaching deeper, the Irish public have other priorities than defence.

          • But what happens if All those tech companies based in A low corporate tax economy get the jitters and start feeling venerable, if they feel undefended?

          • You do get that the IAC hasn’t had the ability to control Irish Airspace ever? That didn’t and doesn’t stop companies investing in said country.

    • There’s pretty much nothing in the budget that could be cut in order to pay for such a ramp up, as pointed out a former AC general put a squadron worth of planes at over a billion.

      As for UK flights, it’s pretty much a non story in the Republic.

      • As above, a squadron of armed Hawk trainers would be able to intercept most of the planes the Russians send over.

        • Even if you moved the AC out of Dublin to one of the West Coast airports, what’s the range/speed/endurance of a Hawk once you hang a couple of missiles and fuel tanks on them?

    • Doesn’t need high tech interceptors to intercept the type of aircraft Russia is sending – a squadron of Hawk trainers fitted with guns/missiles would do the job quite well enough – basic Hawk £18,000,000, remember they’re not expected to take part in a real shooting war.

        • Hawk range 2,520km. Typhoon range 2,900km. So should be enough to do the job.The TU-95 it would usually tasked with intercepting has a cruising speed of 550km/hr, max 520, against the Hawk able to do 1,000, so no problem catching up, service ceiling within 100ft of each other… so should be able to intercept off the coast couple of hundred miles out if needed..

          • If I’m not just spouting stuff out of my proverbial (and I may well be), I believe the climb rate of the Hawk isn’t enough to perform any meaningful interception.

          • The Hawk might be of some use in escorting the TU-95,but against the TU-160 it would struggle.

          • Range isn’t the issue Rob, the Hawk has neither the acceleration nor the climb ability to intercept high flying Russian bombers in a timely manner. With QRA the intercepting aircraft doesn’t ‘catch up’ with the target, it places itself ahead of the flight path so as to dissuade incursion into our airspace. Once you have added a cannon pod, a couple of ASRAAM and a couple of wing tanks and your Hawk is not going to be intercepting anything particularly quickly.

          • Remember, to get to Irish air space the things have to fly round the UK – so as long as there is cooperation fron the Norwegian and British controllers they should have plenty of time to get into position.

          • @geof

            Doesn’t work that way, the Vozdushno-kosmicheskiye sily don’t let us know where they plan to go on any particular tasking. By the time it became clear that they were going to skirt or attempt to penetrate Irish airspace a subsonic Hawk is not going to cut it. It is neither cost effective or safe keeping a Hawk circling over the sea off the West Coast of Ireland on the off chance that the Russians are going to come that way when they are picked up off Norway. Remember they have no tanker capability as well, all RAF QRA alerts involve the tanker as well. It is actually quite a good example of the shear performance difference that a pair of Typhoon operating out of Consingsby or Lossiemouth can comfortably perform QRA off the West COast of Ireland if needed.

            Going back to safety a Hawk loaded up with fuel including wing tanks a cannon pod and a couple of SRAAM is not going to have much time on station, that is why Supersonic aircraft are preferred. Whilst you burn fuel quickly getting there the faster time on station allows more loiter time.

            I would say the bare minimum suitable type for QRA off Ireland if they went shopping would be either the KAI FA-50 or Alenia Aermacchi M-346FA and at the high end Lock Mart F-16C/D (anything beyond Block 30/32 new or second hand) or SAAB Gripen E/F (or C/D if at the right price second hand).

            I just don’t see the Irish public wanting to pay for that anytime soon especially after an Election where Socio-Economic issues were the nations main concern and Defence barely got a mention.

          • I agree with all those points expressed – just feel they are based on a false premise. Firstly, time. Takes a long time for the Russians to get to Irish airspace – enough time for something to be waiting for them. Next, space. Look at the size of the area needing to be covered by Irish aircraft compared to RAF – much more restricted airspace. Between these two, means you can have a plane waiting to pick up the enemy whilst another is taking off to take over the actual escort duty – a relay system rather than everything being put on one crew. A matter of using a system matched to your own resources rather than taking over someone elses.

          • All the Russians have to do is keep out of the air space. It ought to catch their attention. It has never stopped the Russians themselves in the past.
            But they would only do that in a hot war.

      • In that case, why bother to spend it in the first place.
        This all just gives the RAF practice.
        If push came to shove we would fly our jets wherever we wanted and the Irish could just sing Dixie.
        Generally anybody in Ireland who is seriously inerested can join the British Army (4,000) anyway. Are they really going to put in place 16 to 32 plus fast jet pilots? And their mechanics etc?? No. It’s a tin pot country, full of off shore cheating bankers.

        • As opposed to the UK were there’s no offshoring, no cheating bankers and no politicians taking the mick?

          Get off it.

  4. Even though the benefits to the UK being able to enter Irish airspace are made plain there is still the usual carping. I expect to hear the canard that U boats were refuelled in Irish harbours in ww2. That’s not to say that people like the Senator shouldn’t be grateful for the protection afforded and keep their mouths firmly closed, but of course he’s politicking.

    Incidentally, speaking to some IAC personnel at an airshow a few years ago they said that the IAC had an extremely close relationship with the RAF.

    • As a Brit whose family is nearly all from NI apart from a few ‘Rebel’ cousins in Dublin I can say that the people of the Republic are generally wonderful, warm friendly human beings and i can understand why the IAC and RAF get on famously on a personal level. It is a pity that politicians on the Island, especially South of the Border feel they have to pander to a minority still banging on about the Black and Tans. Varadkar in particular is no friend of the British. The ROI should contribute towards the cost of their air defence or at least equip one Squadron of their own jets, preferably older Typhoons from the RAF to maintain commonality between the two forces.

      • To be honest if they simply paid a small amount to cover fuel and maintenance if our planes I’d be happy with that.

        • Has the UK ever asked to be paid? It’s not the first time such an agreement happened, for example Ireland only started paying for the Lighthouses around the 90’s having had an agreement from the UK back in 1922 that since British traffic benefited from them more the UK would pay for them

        • Good Morning Mark.
          I believe he is. I base my opinion on the fact that during the Brexit period he showed nothing but hostility towards the UK. Every time he opened his mouth his comments were negative, obstructive, cold and unhelpful as were those from many of his top Cabinet members. I am sure I am not alone in this assessment. In particular and on subject, the sentiments of Senator Craughwell regarding the RAF’s assistance to the ROI and at NO CHARGE typified the lack of grace and hostility that remains rooted within the Irish Government toward anything British. I have no ill feeling towards the wonderful people of the ROI but their politicians often set the tone.
          Regards

          • I wouldn’t be a supporter of his but it was a common accusation that every EU leader was anti-British during the last 3 years or so.

          • That is a fair point HF but one would have though that given the closeness of the relationship in terms of everything including geography, the ROI might have been more willing to reach an accommodation in the interests of both countries

          • Part of the attraction of the EU is that it gives Ireland a chance to get away from its dependence on Britain. No Irish PM is going to do anything – in public – to damage that.

          • The pseudo independence Ireland have is just sucking up to the EU.
            It will soon have to pay for the privilege after next year.

          • @geoff

            “Good Morning Mark. I believe he is. I base my opinion on the fact that during the Brexit period he showed nothing but hostility towards the UK.”

            No he wasn’t, he was understanding and helpful as he could be in the face of a UK and Brexit-loon bubble that can’t seem to wrap its head around the fact that Ireland is a sovereign Country that will look to its own interests. As far as Ireland and its people are concerned they think the UK is insane leaving the EU and is not going to harm its own position in the EU just satisfy the fantasies of Brexiteers. Ireland like the UK is bound by the Good Friday Agreement but also wishes to remain in the Single Market. Irish domestic politics is not beholden to the UK or Brexit.

          • Two things, and I will be brief as George Allison indulges us by such straying from subject. One-I certainly am no ardent Brexiteer-still deadlocked on the fence. Second-“Ireland thinks..the UK is insane leaving the EU.” Did not Ireland itself vote to leave the EU some years back? mutual insanity?

          • @geof

            No Ireland has not voted to leave the EU in recent years, support for EU membership is above 90% amongst the Irish public.

            In 2008 a referendum was held where the Irish public narrowly voted against ratifying the Lisbon treaty. In 2009 after changes were made to the treaty documentation and various guarantees given to Ireland over sovereignty another referendum as held where the Irish public comfortably voted to ratify the Lisbon treaty.

            Unlike the UK Ireland has significant experience running referendums with a Government body in place that has the task of ensuring the public are properly informed about what they are being asked in a referendum and to ensure fair play.

          • Come off it. d’Estaing said it was impenetrable . The EU Treaty was the same as the Constitution. It was the same thing put together in a diffetent way. (The Independent)
            The Irish were shown the instruments of torture and they signed on the dotted line.

          • Hyperbolic nonsense!

            The amount of nonsense I have read about what people ‘think’ the Lisbon treaty is about over the years makes me laugh.

            The Irish people were asked again after changes were made and after a clear neutral public information campaign voted to ratify the treaty and amend their constitution…democracy at work!

            It is refreshing to watch a country with a modern fit for purpose constitution and electoral system work in comparison to our arcane joke of a system.

          • I’ve given up trying to discuss with Brits regarding areas like Irish referendums, it’s like talking to a brick wall.

            But yes changes were made (one of which for example was an undertaking regarding defence spending), and the Government of the day actually got off it’s ass for the second vote to engage with people.

          • Indeed. The usual dishonest practice of portraying any country protecting its own interests as being anti-British.

          • He as the leader of the Republic defended the interests of the Republic (and Northern Ireland who’s Nationalist community were totally ignored when the DUP were critical to the Tory’s). The issue that many British seems to miss is that we have our own sovereign interests separate to the UK.

            You’ll find there was little to no difference between him and any other Irish politician’s stance, more over at a personal level, he exists because of the UK as his parents met there working for the NHS, his sister works for the NHS now in London and he leads the party that would traditionally be seen as the more UK friendly party.

            Simply because he defended Irish interests against a UK government that at best was ignorant of said interests doesn’t make him anti British.

            Also as a general rule ignore anything that comes from someone that’s Senator.

          • It has a caretaker government, no different than other EU nations after an election when parties are working out coalitions. We’re most likely going to end up with a FF/FG/Green Coalition.

          • Not true, a very quick Google search would have informed you of what is happening currently in Ireland in respect of Government.

            Ireland currently has a Fine-Gael caretaker Government in place with Leo Varadkar remaining in office as caretaker Taoiseach until a new Government is agreed upon and put in place.

            Ireland has a modern PR based electoral system and Constitution designed to handle this transition process. In countries that use PR it is common for the new Government not to form for quite a while. It is a process designed to build consensus and bring the people together. It is not a ‘Winner takes all’ event where large proportions of the population get no say if they live int he wrong place.

          • It does not have a government. The word ‘caretaker’ sums it up. When will the Irish actually have a budget? Who will agree to it?
            If they have a clever system, why is it taking them so long.
            If the Irish are so fond of 2nd referendums why not call a 2nd election?

          • The Irish budget is done in October so yes we have a budget agree to be the majority back in October, we won’t start planning a new one till end of summer.

            It’s taking “so long” because of the result of the GE where we have three parties within a couple of votes so getting them to agree to who forms a government will take as long as it takes (last time it took 70 days).

            A second election is always a possibility if/when a majority can’t be formed.

            It’s really not that complicated and happens all over Europe if you paid attention.

          • No Trevor you can’t twist reality to suit your own narrative, Ireland does have a Government and a Taoiseach along with a Constitution that allows the management of the Country during this transitional period. The lights are kept on Government wise until a new consensus is found, that might be via another election.

            “If they have a clever system, why is it taking them so long.”

            Well frankly that comment has ‘British exceptionalism’ written all over it. Just because it takes longer than the UK due to Ireland not having a FPTP system doesn’t mean it is an inferior way of going about Government. The time taken is fairly normal for a modern European democracy that uses some form of Proportional Representation. The Constitutional arrangement was set up this way to ensure national consensus and avoid the situation the UK has of effective Elected Dictatorship due to the flaws in the FPTP system.

            “If the Irish are so fond of 2nd referendums why not call a 2nd election?”

            They might well have a second election if consensus can’t be built to form a new Government, that is normal for Countries that use PR. Nevertheless the wheels keep on turning Ireland with a Government and Taoiseach in place to handle the basic running of the Country.

          • Dear Mark and Fed. No, stop pretending. There was no government when Britain is in the middle of a general election. There was no PM and no MPs.

            There is no Irish government because the head Of the Irish head of state has not appointed a PM that commands a majority. If anyone comes cluse to a PM its the SF leader. She got the largesr number of MPs.
            But the presodent cannot appoint a PM untill it can count on a majority. There are no policies no plans. If and when they do have some , they will be ones that noone is happy about.

          • Trevor what planet are you on?! You can’t compare what happens in a British Westminster election to what happens in Ireland, two different countries with different political systems! I should also point out that in a UK election whilst the House is suspended the Government continues as does the Prime Minister in role until either they win that election or not whereupon the current PM goes to Buckingham Palace to resign and then new PM touches hands with the Queen. The period of time where there is no Government and Prime Minister is a few minutes.

            Nevertheless we are talking about Ireland that currently has a Government and a Taoiseach, that it is a caretaker one is immaterial to the discussion it still a functioning Government with a Taoiseach! I don’t see why you can’t wrap your head around this!

            The Current Taoiseach of Ireland is Leo Varadkar, that is a point of FACT and he heads up a Fine-Gael/Independent Government and will continue to do so until the next Government is resolved via negotiation or another election…that is just a plain fact! The Irish President will appoint a new Taoiseach and Government when required. Constitutionally by their own Irish Constitution Ireland has a functioning Government and Taoiseach….end of story!

          • It doesn’t matter who sits in the grand building which houses the Irish PM, he currently has no authority. It’s obvious what should happen,
            FF and FG should form a coalition. The fact that they haven’t shows exactly why the Irish do not have a government.
            When will they vote on their EU budget for instance? Ireland is one of the most comfortably off countries in the EU. Ireland should be falling over themselves to increase their payments.

            But enough already…

          • “It doesn’t matter who sits in the grand building which houses the Irish PM, he currently has no authority.”

            The Irish Constitution says otherwise Trevor, Leo Varadkar is the Irish Taoiseach until a replacement is appointed.

            My suggestion is go and learn how other countries Political systems work before making assumptions about them.

          • Again, you don’t seem to know anything tbh.

            Government talks take time, the caretaker situation is normal for many nations and Varadkar has full power currently.

            What exactly do you mean “vote on the EU budget”, the Budget is still being discussed and developed. The Government has been fully engaged in developing it and how it might develop.

            As @Fedaykin has pointed out, you don’t seem to be very familiar with other nations systems.

          • Just a basic example of you not knowing what you are talking about, no SF did not get the largest number of TD’s, FF did.

            And given that Varadkar just announced billions in spending due to the COVID outbreak, yeah there are policies and plans happening.

          • Yes, correct, only behind in the election by 1.

            But the way Verdarker is threatening to spend money like water that he is not responsible for only points out again that Ireland does not have a government. Heaven forbid, but im sure 85,000 Irish people are not going to die any way.
            There is zero authority in Ireland right now. No one likes the idea of being in charge when they pay up into the EU budget. SF are licking their lips.

            But once again, enough already.
            .

          • Christ you don’t have a clue. He’s spending as that’s what the Government needs to do in the current situation.

            The EU Budget is a totally non event in relation to Government talks. It’s not an issue in Irish politics.

          • The EU budget is not an issue in Irish politics? Ha ha… just ask Irish farmers about that and how the EU are demanding that they (your farmers) pay for the EU Just Transition Fund. Money taken from the CAP to pay places like Poland to cut CO2.

            But look be fair… Ireland doesn’t need a government, it does not have to make political decisions when all it has to do is blame it all on the EU as a scape goat.

            So when will a new PM carry the can? Anytime soon? Or will the caretaker carry on sweeping up the entrails from the floor?

    • The carping is always done by the same people, one day they want Britain to return to its prime, global, improved and expanded armed forces, bigger player on the world stage, then the next day they want the entire foreign aid budget scrapped and wanting to throw away agreements where our forces can go because they’re not paying for it, small minded isolationism yet they can’t see it

      It does make me laugh

      • Coming from you sole who supports china’s political stance and mocked the Hong Kong protests,, as I said before go live in these dictatorships you hold dear to your heart.Try your freedom of speech over there. 😉

          • Sounds about right for the oh so righteous know it alls mate. They think they know everything, while having no real-time knowledge and experience, and as you say, little tossers who will be as nasty as fuck to get a result they seem acceptable. Yet so shallow and ignorant it’s mind boggling. And I saw that Hong Kong police incident, you are absolutely correct.

      • So the Pro Propagandist is back now I see!
        The Kremlin finding it difficult replace you!

        Just to remind You, I Do Not need to Answer any of your Questions, because You know the Score to the Answers in the Free media of the World!

          • Here we go again, Another trick from the Propagandist Pay book again!

            A black or white question, again from the Troll, who only sees the World in black or white!

          • @Sole
            Why don’t You just take chance to Look in a mirror at Yourself, and just Say ‘I am Doing wrong, by supporting the Killing of thousands of people Syria’ then just repeat it few times until You feel some remorse about the whole issue?

            GO ON, Give it A try Man!

          • The Problem is that it is You are the One that distorts the Facts in the service of people like Putin and Assad, So You are their Sheep un-questioning to their distorted World view, and thinking anyone opposing Your viewpoint You see in Your deluded mind as Jihadists etc, a black and white world with No Colour!

            So You are a tragic case, so You Need to look in a mirror again, and question Yourself where am I going wrong in my life, the answer is starring you in the face Man!

        • Just don’t mention ‘ leaving the lights on’ to anyone in the North West, old enough to remember the 1941 blitz

          Ireland’s big contributions to the German bombing campaign……

          • Ireland’s cities and towns lights were allegedly used by the Luftwaffe as a guide to bomb Belfast and Liverpool

          • Well HF, as Ireland was a neutral country during the war, all the Germans had to do to get an accurate fix on North West cities for bombing, was to fly close enough to to the Irish coast (or straight down the coast in some instances) and take an accurate fix/turning point from a known Irish town (lit up by lamp posts), set the heading, allow for aircraft speed, wind speed and drift, start the stopwatch and drop the bombs.

            Few diversionary or spoofing tactics worked because of this.

            ‘Leaving the lights on’ was the cause for many a pub punch up in Liverpool, between the sizeable Irish community in that city and others, long after the war was over!

          • That was what I thought. Is there any documented evidence that was done deliberately ? This article suggests the exact opposite was true:-

            https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/why-did-nazi-germany-bomb-neutral-ireland-during-world-war-ii-113121?page=0%2C1

            ‘black out coastal cities that were obviously being used as navigational points for German bombers headed toward Belfast. (The blackouts, however were normally limited to businesses and did not begin until April 1941.)’

            How anyone could be dumb enough to think that a German victory would be good for Ireland amazes me.

          • I’m not suggesting it was done deliberately, the Irish Government probably thought that initiating a blackout in eastern coastal areas might have been regarded as ‘active involvement in the war’ thus taking sides with the British.

            Perhaps, some thought the Germans were going to win in some fashion anyway (from an Irish perspective,an agreed ceasefire between Britain and Germany at least, certainly seemed possible in 1941) and they didn’t want to anger Hitler … It makes for a fascinating discussion that’s for sure.

            Many Irish nationals of did the right thing and volunteered for war service with the British in their thousands, seeing colonial resentments as secondary to helping defeat the unspeakable evil of National Socialism.

          • I doubt it had occurred to the Irish and even if they did would they have cared?

            The Irish did not at that point have much of an opinion about the Germans. A few years or decades of occupation might have changed that and the Irish and the English might have become best buddies – who knows. Stranger things happen at sea.

          • My Irish grandmother had a considerable sum of cash hidden to get her daughters out of Ireland if the Nazis invaded, so some people had an opinion about them.

          • It’s the same as the view that the UK deliberately interfered with the German navigation to make them bomb Dublin.

            Stories upon stories.
            BTW, how much light do you think Ireland which had a fuel shortage throughout the war was producing?

      • By agreement you handed back the Treaty Ports before the War, as a neutral nation we were under no obligation to allow your escorts to refuel, anymore than allowing German ships to do so.

      • Hmmm…. would be a bit of an obvious non-neutral act. I wonder how many were refuelled on the qt, at more remote ports ? There were lots of acts like that. In any case it was the Uboat lie I’ve heard most often.

        • I doubt that any were refueled to be honest, there weren’t many ports that could take them.
          That being said there was plenty of other direct an indirect aid to the Allies.

  5. The Republic of Ireland’s neutrality was always something of a dodge. However, this arrangement makes sense for the U.K. and that’s the limit of my interest – I imagine Russia’s strategic interest in Ireland also.

  6. Coming from the same country thats decided it will no longer share intelligence with us following brexit. Perhaps we should make this arrangement more clear to the international stage, and put Irish politicians in their place.

  7. Hi folks hope are all well.
    Yes this subject has been around for a few years now, and maks interesting descusion.
    The agreement is both beneficial to both countries and makes sound sence from a security point of view. However, if there is a continuance of this agreement, the question of cost must factor here. Has the UK MOD published any costings for this service? I’m not able to find any yet.
    On a broader note, I would envisage the same issue will happen if Scotland goes for independence, especially the SNP’s attitude to defence matters, although they wish Scotland to be part of NATO. However, the SNP have not allocated at least 2% GDP for defence, a bit awkward!
    Cheers
    George

    • Hi George,

      Interesting additonal points, thank you.

      The Scottish FIR is a pretty big area and would be a real weekening step if Scotland did not do something about is own defence. As you pointed out in your recent artlicle about Iceland’s role in NATO, even a country of a few hundred thousand people contribute something to their own defence by providing civilian support staff to the NATO mission.

      Ireland is, and an independent Scotland would be, significantly larger that Iceland in population terms so should be able to contribute something. New Zealand with a similar size population maintained a small fast jet force for many years, and continue to maintain a capable, if small, navy.

      Too few people living on these Islands seem to realise that our geographic position is enough to make us a target, in pretty much the same way that Iceland and Greenland are targets…

    • Definitely a controversial issue it seems. Asking for payment for a task you were already going to do is a bit tricky. If Ireland or an independent Scotland weren’t there, the RAF would still be conducting the same intercepts for UK security.

      People arguing Ireland should operate it’s own interceptors seem to ignore that Ireland has less than 13% of the GDP the UK has. A single squadron of fighters and the infrastructure to actually support them (the airbase, the support personnel, the training programme, etc) would represent a massive investment for them, with none of the benefits of scale that the UK enjoys.

      The only practical way I can see an IAC fighter squadron is if it’s integrated into the RAF. Ireland pays the cost for a squadron of Typhoons and the base, but the training for fast jets and the logistics support are done through the wider RAF to achieve economies of scale in exchange for a contribution to the budget. Ireland gets an “independent” air defence capability, and the UK effectively gets another squadrons worth of QRA fighters. The only thing standing in the way of such an arrangement would be politicians, although that’s nothing new.

      • Great suggestions Callum. Even a flight of Typhoons-say 8 airframes with IAC roundels with a maintenance arrangement in place to use RAF facilities would work perfectly. On the subject of Scotland, for me one of many good reasons not to trash the UK-fractured institutions and facilities plus duplicating everything in a relatively small island-crazy stuff-there has to be a better way.

      • Not politicians, politics.

        There’s only so much budget to go round, and defence isn’t an area that the Irish public will support spending on. Any politician that floated buying fighter capability would get destroyed. A former IAC General has put the price of standing up the minimium capabilty even with using “another” air force for training at a billion a year. The entire DF budget is barely that let alone the AC’s budget.

        • NATO’s 2% is designed to be fair to all nations regardless of size. Whilst Ireland not a full member it would show willing. Ireland needs to get round the table and discuss with NATO countries how it could provide effective assistance at an affordable price. Until recently the UK parties agreed much the same stance on Defence thus removing it from politics. The electorate in NI is beginning to move beyond past issues and is looking to the future. I’m guessing that same wish exists in the South.

          • Ah, what?

            We aren’t a member so the 2% isn’t an issue and we already work with NATO nations in common areas but that is on a case by case basis.

            As to NI moving beyond the past… Nope not even close, more to the point what has that got to do with Irish politics?

          • What can Ireland defend itself from on its own? Nothing. Might as well disband the AC. Alternatively Ireland could become part of an alliance – something bigger than itself.

          • What is the threat that Ireland faces?

            Also we are part of an alliance that’s bigger than ourselves, the EU. Funny enough had the UK not been so hostile to any sort of EEC connected defence then the situation would have been different, upon joining the EEC Ireland did have plans to upgrade it’s military as concerns had been made about it not being in NATO (all the other members were at the time), but a Recession and hostility from the UK meant that it died a death, with only bits and pieces left of what was meant to have been more.

          • Maybe nothing especially as NATO has your back.

            Good point on the subject of the EU. Decision made for us though – Brits didn’t see the benefit.

            The European defence idea was never going to happen? Without the Americans? Seriously?

            We will be doing our own thing from now on which will be interesting and allow you guys to get on with your own lives unimpeded.

          • Maybe if the US had agreed to the suggestion of a Defence Treaty post WW2 things would be different but they didn’t. Also technically the only threat Ireland has faced since ’22 has been the UK, so I’m not sure that’s much of a consideration.

            Whether it was going to happen or not, resistance from the UK played a part in preventing the planned ’80’s build up of the DF, had that gone ahead the DF would be a totally different animal to what it is today.

          • They faced the Nazi threat. If Britain had surrendered that would have been it for the Republic as well.

          • NATO was the only show in town post WW2. True a build up from the South in the 1980’s would not have been helpful coming up to Good Friday.
            I have to say Mark that there is a sense that some in the ROI still see the UK as a threat. Brits see this all the time from Countries around the world and generally ignore it. Do you still see these sentiments or has everyone moved on at last?

          • The US has done plenty of side deals with nations that had nothing to do with NATO, and there was never a chance that Dev would go into any military alliance with the UK at that point.

            How would a build up of the DF not been helpful in the run up to the GFA?

            And no the UK isn’t seen as a threat now other than economically, though it’s certainly not helped by some comments from the UK over the last few years.

          • So Hitler threatening to conquer all all western Europe to the Urals was no threat to Ireland? I suppose not. You just sit back and wave your sheleighleigh.

          • Mark the US don’t know or care where Ireland or the UK is. America First! The UK/ROI could help each other from a defence perspective and economically. If the ROI don’t want to play then fine we will sort the problem ourselves as in WW2. The aid we would have expected in WW2 involved a declaration of war and soldiers on the battlefield.

          • The UK is no different than the US in that regard, and given statements from Tories in regards to “punishing” us over Brexit forgive me if I doubt that.

            As to WW2, not a chance after the War of Independence.

          • It seems clear that there is still hostility from the ROI to all things British.

            None of us were born in 1922 let alone took part in your “War of Independence” and if your forebears thought it was desirable to support a nasty piece of work like Hitler in attacking the UK then perhaps it will be for future generations to reconcile.

            I fear you are stuck in the past Mark and it will be for the more forward thinking Irish minds to drag your country into the 21st century – in the fullness of time.

            Keep Well.

          • What?

            I pointed out rightly that the generation of 1939 were the ones that fought for Independence, of course they weren’t going to support joining the UK in a war.

            As to the rest of your post, I don’t even know what you are trying to suggest.

          • That the war time generation could not see the difference between the UK (because of a conflict involving 2000 casualties?) and a man who starting a world war which would result in approx 50 million deaths is unforgivable.

            If you couldn’t of gone to war to support the British what about the French, Poles and other Europeans you now call your friends!

            What is more telling is that their descendants can’t see it either. Admit it Mark you hate the British!

          • Actually it might have more to do with the few million from the Famine given that generation or their children were still alive at that point.

            Nor could anyone have known what deathtoll WW2 was going to end up, stop using knowledge that nobody would have had at that point.

            I don’t hate the British (hell my sister in law is British though the family moved over to Ireland post 2016), don’t care one way or the other anymore than any other nationality.

          • If it had not been for the fact that my family fled the famine I would not be typing this now.

            I am conscious of my impact on the world and am happy to take responsibility for my own actions. I am also content to discuss current British activity which I think is a force for good in the world – not perfect but generally good.

            Nothing good will come of beating ourselves up over British, French, American or even Irish activity in the distant past. There will be good things and bad things but we can only change the present and shape the future.

            During WW2 my parents & grandparents generation selflessly stopped a tyrant from gaining control of Europe and have provided the longest period of peace in recorded history. Our Defence policy continues that ideal and if that means we patrol your skies for free that’s fine by me.

    • Hi George,

      I feel that Defence is a significant factor in the minds of Scottish voters. A proud fighting nation who would want to take a full and complete role in their own defence.

      In Ireland there are pragmatists that know that the Russians would not think twice about using one of the smaller Atlantic countries as a foothold in any future conflict with NATO if it suited their tactics. I suspect the Irish politicians might want to occasionally throw around anti-British sentiments but privately most will realise the current arrangement is in their constituents interests. If the Irish wish to contribute to the RAF it might be better for everyone to do it quietly.

    • It’s not really fair to compare the Defence situation of Ireland with that of an independent Scotland, effectively nobody would create a situation that Ireland currently has if they chose to do so.

      • Ireland can change it’s position. This Irish electorate are not children – I’m sure they would want to take a modern position within NATO if the pros and cons were fairly discussed.

          • There are many in Ireland who don’t want change but change is coming Mark. Defence might not be the first order of business and it might take awhile but no country is immune to change. Look at every country in the world including your own.

          • I know my own nation thanks, and I know there’s zero political or public support for expansion of Defence. There isn’t even support for spending for the basic pay for the DF right now, let alone an increase like that.

          • Sometimes its easier to see things from outside. I’m not just talking about Defence. Your whole political scene is changing and it will swing this way and that until it breaks free from the narrow minded politics of the past (both sides of the border).

          • It’s aligning to a more European Left-Right position, nothing major, btw if you are so happy about that, be ready for a SF lead government. By and large most outside Ireland don’t “get” Irish politics.

            As to the North, a no, they haven’t changed a bit from the past.

          • The Irish Election was interesting. The good showing for SF demonstrates that the Irish people are looking for change. The question is what do they want and who can provide it? It is a natural reaction to align yourself with your new best friends – I hope it works out for you.

          • It’s more that SF promised everything under the bloody sun to the tune of 20 billion euro’s when Finance made it clear that there was only 11 billion headroom (a housing expansion that we can’t build, tax cuts yet spending increases, free Third Level), since then with the current health crisis the Government has basically used half of that already. Besides which looks like FG and FF are going to go into Government together anyway.

            Also who exactly do you think are our “new best friends”?

          • Well it’s at times like these that we discover parties desperation for power and the hatchets people will bury to prevent those that are deemed to be undesirable from gaining power.
            “New Best Friends” = “old partners” + some buttering up as both sides need something. Trouble is everyone will need something at the end of this health crisis.

          • I’m just saying ROI has more in common with the USA and UK than with the EU. For instance: Family connections, Common Law, language (in practice mostly) and Business/Trade and much more.
            As far as I can see the only thing the EU provides is a currency, and a political two fingers in your face ( to the UK), because the UK is strongly aligned to European laws and standards and is likely to stay that way in almost every case.
            UK and USA got over their ‘history’ in 1917 which is ironic in the circumstances.
            I strongly hope things stay on an even keel in every way possible.

  8. Makes me wonder if Australia and New Zealand have a similar arrangement? Not that New Zealand is regularly buzzed by Russian Bombers, but in principle.

    • Given the distances involved the RAAF would have to base aircraft in NZ. China would only be a problem if they built bases in the area. I don’t think they have.

    • I’m not aware of any formal public agreement, but our history of defence cooperation goes back to at least WW1. Recent examples include the bushfires, and RNZN covering gaps in RAAN tanker capability in the past. NZ situation is different as we aren’t in (current) bomber range. Our decision to focus our high-end forces on a pair of frigates, light infantry and E-8’s is reasonable, although I personally would prefer more.

  9. I was not aware of this agreement. Interesting.
    The next step should be for the Irish Government to buy some interception jets and air tankers so they can look after their own airspace. I’m sure NATO would help with the training.

    • It’s an old agreement that formalised the ad hoc situation post 9/11.

      As to increasing the AC, forget it, a former AC General a couple of weeks ago put the price tag for just jets not tankers put it at over a billion a year… The entire DF budget is just over a billion.

  10. Wow, I’ve missed quite a thread!

    Don’t know what the fuss is about. It suits the UK to be able to cover the western approaches, including Ireland.

    As for Sole being a Troll? Pull the other one.

    • @Daniele
      Well, Sole anyway has Proved to be An Apologizist and Propagandist for the criminal Assad regime, which has No compunction in killing innocent civilians in Syria.

      Of course, War Crimes have been committed by both sides in Syrian Civil War.

      • Hi Meirion.

        Respect your opinion of course. I have read Soles posts for years. He, as I do, sees both sides. Sure Assad is a SOB. Yes the Russians are often up to no good, countering the west. NATO must be strong and prepared.

        But the hypocrisy of the west sometimes is laughable. That does not make me a “Russian Troll” It is just an opinion. I won’t bother with examples as I’m not getting into this argument. Only that I see where Sole comes from.

        On Syria, I think the point is this. Assad, yes, ruthless, kills his own people with impunity. Whats the alternative? ISIS or those other terrorist groups the west support? Simply because they are against Russia and the Syrian regime, and thus “good terrorists” in the ongoing strategic games taking place now in the Middle East between the major powers.

        Removing other SOB’s Gaddafi and Hussain did not work out well. The Taliban are back in control of most of Afghanistan.

        Sometimes things are best left well alone.

        Just my opinion. And I live in Surrey, not the Kremlin!!!

  11. M346 for ireland and suck up the fact they need to do their part if they want sovergin airspace. 12 A/C is enough and can jump on the UK fast jet training pipline if they do another closed door deal

  12. I seem to remember there was a small Political Storm a few years back when an RAF C130 had to land in the Republic when low on fuel. This is no way to treat your Defenders! But this could have been the Media!

    • Keeping a neutral stance will only get you so far, if your territory or assets are regarded as desirable by a potential enemy, they will simply ignore it … Just look at Belgium during WW2, the German steamroller simply went straight through them!

      In a modern context, obviously Ireland should pay for being covered by the RAF umbrella, all goods and services require payment, what’s so different about this?

      Perhaps if the EU ever do get a formal defence structure in place, the Irish Air Corps might be forced to spend money and operate a minimum air defence capability?

      In fact, it creates an interesting juxtaposition between Ireland’s stated neutrality and it’s EU membership.

      If the EU develops military structures, then Ireland will loose it’s neutrality by default, even if it plays no part, it will become part of a military alliance…

        • Indeed Meirion, Switzerland takes its defence seriously and puts its money were its mouth is.

          Any county invading Switzerland would find itself given quite the bloody nose, the difficult terrain coupled with a sizeable proportion of the population mobilised and armed, would make life very difficult indeed for a would be occupier..

      • Good point. A neutral country like ROI which is lightly defended could well be of strategic benefit to an aggressor especially taking into account its geographic position. NATO might need to take extreme measures to disrupt any attempt.

        • Its difficult to theorise a situation were Europe is involved in an all out war today, but, that said, Ireland’s position as the gate keeper to the North West approaches, makes it desirable to control and occupy.

          After all, the UK ‘invaded’ Iceland in 1940, before the Germans could, precisely for the same reason, its vital Atlantic position.

          • Agreed.

            It would also provide a potential platform for attacking Western Europe. This would at the very least distract attention from any land attack in the East.

            Would the cost of taking the ROI would be that great? Some old helicopters and tanks plus some special forces delivered on an old cargo ships maybe? Might be an over simplification but …

      • “In a modern context, obviously Ireland should pay for being covered by the RAF umbrella, all goods and services require payment, what’s so different about this?“

        You’re comparing this to business, since the age of empire great powers and superpowers have flexed muscle and offered protection or station forces in other territories for geopolitical strategy and ambition, not payment

        If the RAF were not doing this nobody would, Ireland would be just another country without a proper Air Force, of which there are many

        • Everything else we do with the EU is business, I don’t see the difference, if Ireland requires the occasional air defence call out, then they should be billed accordingly for the cost, not really seeing why my taxes should be paying to protect Irish citizens?

          They still ‘win’, as its massively cheaper than having to fund and operate a domestic capability, demand and supply, its how the world turns…

          • Has the UK ever presented a bill? Or even asked? It wasn’t until the late 90’s that the UK stopped paying for the Lighthouses and navigational aids around Ireland for example. We got that in 1922 and the UK never bothered to reopen the issue.

          • Apparently not Mark, perhaps the UK should get the calculator out and present a bill?

            While we are on the subject of overdue bills, we ‘lent’ Ireland billions in the banking crisis, I note the invoice is yet to be paid, perhaps that should be chased up too…

          • You mean that “lent money” that just so happened to go to Ulster Bank, a subsidiary of RBS a British Bank? So just more of a bailout for a UK bank and getting the Irish taxpayer to pay for it?

            Ireland offered to pay that off about 5 years ago as we did to the other direct loans like Sweden, the UK refused as it preferred to get the lump sum plus the extra interest of the full period rather than a direct payment upfront.

            Instead it’s being repaid at the rate the UK wants, a third of it already with the rest by next year.

          • Ah, so some good news then Mark, its not all bad then.
            Just the small matter of RAF cover to pay for then, will it be bank transfer, papal or cheque … we ‘might’ accept Guinness as payment, but only from the Dublin factory, none of the questionable UK made stuff!

          • No it’s not, isn’t that one of the main reasons we are leaving the EU, because it’s not “just business” anymore

            You haven’t really touched on my comment about geopolitics etc, I think everyone understands the concept of you provide a service, you get payment, except that’s not always how it works, especially when talking about geopolitics, you get returns in other ways, protecting your own interests, flexing muscle, power projection, etc etc

            And just the basic fact of providing protection to the geographically speaking British isles

          • I’m not really following you Sole, our provision of occasionally required air defence for the Irish state has nothing to do with the EU.

            We arn’t in the EU, they aren’t in NATO, cross training and joint exercises with the Irish are extremely rare, we really have very little in common from a military perspective.

            It should be a very straight forward transaction.

            We already provide air defence for NATO allies, it’s correct, we have a contractual obligation to fellow NATO countries.

            Does anyone know the cost of launching a couple of Thypoons and a tanker on such a mission?

            We really have to stop just throwing precious defence money away.

            I would imagine the total cost is north of half a million.

            As for geopolitics, I don’t think we need to flex our muscles to impress the Irish, we are fellow islanders and mainly get on just fine.

          • I wouldn’t really suggest the last hundred years of Anglo-Irish relations was “just fine”, I mean we basically ignored each other from 39 to 73 at Government level for example.

          • Evening Mark, I see I’m not the only one who stays up late.

            Fair point, Anglo Irish relations have been ‘difficult’ in the past, but we have cemented a new relationship for the last 20 years, with the Anglo Irish agreement (and allowing sufficient time) putting much resentment to bed on both sides eventually.

            As island Nations, we have far more in common as individuals, than we do with mainland Europeans.

          • I’m hoping not to derail this into a pointless argument, but I think sometimes in the UK it’s actually forgotten that the membership of the EEC/EU was one of the main drivers in creating the environment that led to the new relationship.

            I’m fairly certain between the Imperial Conference in the early ’30s to joining the EEC in ’73 there wasn’t a single face to face meeting between PM and Taoiseach, even when NI was sliding into the Troubles (almost unthinkable now). There wasn’t a Ministerial level meeting from the ’40’s till ’73. The heads of Government meeting in the EEC/EU always allowed time for one to one between Taoiseach and PM without advisors and huge “person to person” work was done that created the environment for the ’85 Anglo-Irish Agreement and the following on from that. Same for the Ministerial level work.

            Compare that to post Brexit, when London consistently refused to engage with the East-West instruments set up in the GFA, and there’s been consistent attempts by London to isolate Dublin diplomatically in the Brexit talks…

          • John you started your first reply to me saying “everything else we do with the EU is business” that’s what brought the EU into this, no wonder you’re not following me

            It’s not really to impress the Irish, in-fact it has nothing to do with the Irish at all, if you thing the geopolitic angle of this agreement that allows us to intercept Russian strategic bombers then I don’t think you will ever understand John

          • I would think the main business of requiring an RAF intercept, would be an airliner behaving oddly, faulty transponder etc, i.e a potential terrorist related incident.

            Intercepting and shadowing Russian Tu95’s that route down to Cuba and Venezuela off the Irish coast isn’t going to be a terribly fruitful exercise, unless they are presenting a danger to Civilian traffic perhaps?

            Now, if Ivan’s barrelling down the Irish Sea, then that might get a few pulses racing, but in international airspace off Ireland’s Western Coast….

            In no way does Ireland require ‘soft power’ assistance from, or need influencing or guidance from the UK, they aren’t a poor third world country under dire threat from an aggressor, they are not in NATO, we seldom have any personnel exchanges with them (apart from a very few UN related deployments, in very small numbers), virtually no military contact of any sort for that matter….

            So whats the Geo Political angle Sole, its a term used to cover a wide range of issues, what exactly is gained or lost by not charging for this service provided?

            I have no objection to carrying out such missions, just think they should be paid for, at cost.

            Ireland gets a first rate air defence capability, at very low (pay per use) cost, it’s a clear win for Ireland, an absolute bargain in fact.

          • I suppose shadowing a Russian tug through the English Channel isn’t particularly fruitful either, or when we do QRA to anywhere else

            That’s not soft power, I don’t think giving anyone “soft power assistance” is even remotely possible if you know what soft power is and how it works

            We’re going round in circles a bit here mate and not really getting anywhere

            You want it paid for, I don’t give a s**t, we’ll keep it simple

      • They were but I didn’t want to be to pernickety I always had this vision of Concorde’s first visit to an Irish airport, ceremonially escorted by the Vampires – who’d have to ask it to slow down….

  14. I’m pretty sure that even without the agreement in place, the RAF would be instructed to enter Irish airsapce to engage with Russian aircraft in a real emergency. Its not as if the Irish can shoot them down, they can only shout at HMG. Irish air space represents too much of a nice bombing run on England for the Russians NOT to police it.

  15. Given that this article has brought forth some of the usual arguments regarding Ireland’s stance in WW2 I’d like to put forward a discussion point.

    Assume say for the sake of argument Ireland did join the war, the most likely point (baring a completely different 1922-1939) would be the Chamberlain offer in June 1940 (as insane as that was), but what does that get the UK?

    The Treaty Ports aren’t what they were in WW1, the labour force is by and large gone, the facilities are run down or even permanently disabled (the Cobh Basin Dock), the stockpiles are gone and the existing defences outdated and worn out which was one of the reasons why the RN agreed to hand them over in the first place.

    On the other hand, this is the point where the UK is just pulling it’s forces off the beaches of Dunkirk and “Invasion Panic” is setting in they now have to deal with defending Ireland. Since this is air related, the IAC has maybe 20 airframes with only a couple of Gladiators in that and can’t scale up in any meaningful timeframe. How many airframes of what type would the UK have to deploy and so wouldn’t be available for the Battle of Britain? How many pilots? Groundcrew? Radar stations and personnel? C&C staff?

    How many AA guns? What might the Army have to give up in order to improve the Irish Army which is basically light arms and some WW1 surplus? How much might the RN have to give up to patrol and defend Irish waters not just use them to pass through? The 2 MTB’s of the Coastwatch aren’t going to do it?

    All this at a critical time for maybe 10% reduction of losses according to Post War RN studies

    • Final comment for my Irish friends-Proportional Representation has left Italy with Europe if not the World’s most unstable democracy!
      “I’ll sing you a song of a row in the town…”

        • The relevancy is that as with all political systems, PR has its drawbacks. it is just that the Irish brigade on this site seem to be followers of the 4 legs good 2 legs bad philosophy or my country right or right, in some of your white or black comments in praise of inter alia the wonderful Irish political setup. As to my quoting the opening lines of a ‘Rebel Song’ it was a small Olive Branch gesture just to show you I am not some Bitter Orangeman but the tone of your 4 word reply above says it all

          • I like how some of the posters make such leaps.

            My reply was due to the fact that the Italian system isn’t the same as the Irish PR system, there are variants an that doesn’t even get into the sizable differences between a small nation like Ireland and a G8 nation like Italy.

            I don’t think any political system is perfect, and I never said so at any point. I do think a PR system is more representative than a FPTP system like the UK but that’s nothing to do with me.

            Also what “Irish brigade” I would be surprised if there’s more than a couple of us here.

          • Anyway Mark there is enough other stuff to worry about out there so Peace Brother. I remember my Dad and his Dublin friend after a number of drinks with Dad asking him to leave our house after they had words over an incident in Belfast 1923 and noel told Dad he had been kicked out of better places than this :). I love Ireland and I love Britain so I am continually conflicted and wish that the closer and warmer relationship that should exist between these Islands could see the light of day and ps. I am still GENUINELY conflicted about Brexit. I would have preferred the UK to stay in but with some significant changes.
            Regards

    • Morning Mark,
      Regarding the Anglo Irish/ EU/BREXIT situation, it has thrown up a few bumps in the road, but they will be sorted in the fullness of time.

      We have always had open immigration between our countries for instance and this will continue, once the
      trade/borderr issues are sorted, it will work itself out.

      You raise a very interesting point regarding Ireland’s neutrality in WW2.

      First off, even if the RAF had been defeated in the battle of Britain and operation Sea lion had gone ahead, campaign simulations undertaken since the early 1970’s suggest the German invasion would have failed, for various reasons.

      But Let’s hypothesize anyway, in 1939 Ireland joins the Allies, its main contribution would have been man power, either on wartime secondment to the British Armed forces, (highly unlikely), or domestically raised light infantry Divisions, mainly equipped by the UK and Canada.

      Considering the strong American Irish connections, a lend lease agreement would without doubt have started very quickly and supplies of military equipment would have flowed from the US.

      Let’s say that Britain surrendered, or, (more likely), an agreement was reached between Britain and Germany to cease hostilities, allowing Germany to throw it’s full weight behind an attack on Russia.

      At this point, Ireland’s strategic position would have come into sharp focus, with intense lobbying in the US to make Ireland a ‘protectorate’ of some sort.

      It wouldn’t be lost on the Germans that Ireland would potentially make an unsinkable aircraft carrier and enoumous barracks for the US .

      Would the Germans invade to prevent that, probably, would that bring the US into the war against Germany, quite possibly….

      The lack of a European base would have made any serious US actions to liberate Europe, extremely difficult, if not impossible.

      It makes for a fascinating discussion Mark.

      • I know that Operation Sealion was never a runner, however that doesn’t mean that there isn’t opportunity costs for the UK if Ireland joined the war that tend to be ignored by those that usually argue that the Treaty Ports should have been used.

        Short of changes long before WW2, Ireland wouldn’t have joined in 1939, it’s just not happening. The Summer 1940 offer is likely the best chance to get Ireland to join (as evidenced by the substantial increase in cooperation and planning for joint defence at that time).

        But even then there’s more costs for the UK that tend to be forgotten. London was basically going to start forcing a Unification, at which point you get into what reaction Unionists/Loyalists give to such a deal to get the Treaty Ports? Hows the production line for the Sunderland and Sterling affected if Shorts faces disruption? What impact to the RN if H&W a major Unionist employer has issues? That affects all the way up to Fleet Carriers at that time.

        The US-Irish relations at this time were beyond bad, there would have been little support for serious deployments of forces into Ireland from the White House down tbh.

      • Also in terms of changing events before 1939, then there’s the 1927 naval discussions where Ireland offered to build up a force equal to the Naval forces in New Zealand to take over the defences of Irish waters. The RN was less than eager to discuss this.

        There’s then the discussion of how the RAF/AM kept changing their advice for procurement for the IAC that ended up with multiple changes in orders.

  16. Given the vitriol from Ireland over Brexit and the fact that they are ungrateful for the defence the UK provides I think the relationship should be formalised. If not we should drop the intercepts over Ireland.

  17. ‘Would love your thoughts’.

    Not sure you’ll like mine but here you are:

    Before I start I want to make sure that any member of the Irish Defence Forces reading this know that I personally hold them in great esteem. All the stories I’ve heard say that they are highly regarded by the Americans and indeed the British. It is not their fault the Defense forces are underfunded and under-resourced.

    But in all the overseas missions they have been sent on, they have performed creditably, sometimes out of all proportion to the situation they are in and the equipement they’ve got. I think we should give them higher regard in Ireland though I understand the reluctance to seem like endorsing militarism. But remember they are called the Irish DEFENCE Forces. They are for defence, nothing else.

    There are two main reasons the Irish defence forces have never been built up:

    1) In 1922 the Irish government came to an understanding with the British that they would not build up a large force and that Ireland would where necessary, be defended by the British Armed forces. The Brits were distracted elsewhere and were tired of the centuries of resistance and decided to let us go.

    However, strategically (and this is a large part of the reason they invaded and fought for three centuries to subdue the place) the Brits have always seen Ireland as a weak part of their strategy of defence. The reason for this is that if Ireland is invaded, it can be used as a stepping stone to invasion of the West coast of Britain. So by ensuring the defence of Ireland, the British plug a large hole in their own defences.

    This understanding was of course, secret. However, the stories have been circulating for years and they make sense since every time the Russians are spotted in subs or in planes, the RAF tornadoes scramble and fly over Ireland with little or no objection by the Irish government.

    Also, note when Craig and the other loyalist warmongers wanted to invade the (as it then was) Irish Free State at the beginning of WW2/the Emergency (lol) they were told sternly to forget it. The British never invaded and in fact, (again in secret until after the war) they had talks with the Irish governmant/military on help and support to resist in case Operation Green, the plan for the Nazi invasion of Ireland, ever took place.

    2) If the Republic was to begin building up its armed forces, especially when there is zero threat of being invaded (Britain protects us to the East and America to the West) the loyalists in the North would go hysterical. Being an aggressive militaristic people whose paranoia is expertly stoked by their loyalist masters they would naturally assume the Republic was trying to build up military power to invade the Six Counties. So we cannot build up a decent-size army/navy/airforce for that reason alone: the stability of the North. Even the Brits might wonder why we were suddenly expanding for no good reason.

    So for the foreseeable future, the present cosy arrangement will remain in place …

  19. Despite the advantage to UK for the RAF to fly over Eire surely some financial payment is justified. It is also a topic for recognition by the EU to take into consideration on reciprocal benefits

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