Sir, – Further to “Who protects Irish skies? The secret air defence deal that dates back to the Cold War” (News, May 8th), will a Sinn Féin government be content to allow the British military to control Irish airspace and territorial waters, as is currently the case? – Yours, etc,
Dr JOHN DOHERTY,
Gaoth Dobhair,
Co Dhún na nGall.
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Sir, – Conor Gallagher’s excellent piece highlights our total dependence on other nations when it comes to defence and security. We are utterly defenceless, without the ability to let alone detect what is in our airspace or waters, or to do anything about it.
As a so-called neutral nation, we have responsibilities under international law to defend our neutral status, which we are clearly unable to do.
Other neutral states provide adequately for defence, and are prepared to defend their neutral status.
No Irish government has taken the defence of the State seriously or provided adequately for it. We have allowed other nations to do it for us.
The defence and security situation in Europe has changed greatly in the last few years and Government policy and provision for it must also change. – Yours, etc,
CONOR HOGARTY,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.
