Sir, – Despite some forebodings toward the end of last year, based on the circulation of its draft report, the Commission on the Defence Forces seems to have “bitten the bullet” in producing a report that honestly acknowledges the current poor state of our Defence Forces while signposting a challenging ambition for its future.
At this point, the most critical consideration should not pertain to restructuring, re-equipping or upsizing the force and consequent budgetary impact, rather should the focus be about fostering a debate on the defence and security of this nation.
For the first time in my lifetime, this report presents an authoritative perspective such that the taxpayer may be informed, may understand and ultimately appreciate what our national security is about and what differing levels of it cost in the context of the nation’s overall wellbeing. –Yours, etc,
MICHAEL GANNON,
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(Colonel, retired),
Kilkenny.
Sir, – As a retired soldier with over 40 years of service, I am delighted to see, at last, a comprehensive and intellectually rigorous review of the State’s defence needs and specific proposals on how those needs should be met. Heartiest congratulations to all concerned.
Undoubtedly the implementation of the report’s recommendations will prove to be politically and fiscally challenging, even for those inevitably truncated recommendations around which our administrative elite can agree.
However, I believe it is important to be realistic and to recognise, now, the reality that neither the political will nor the political skill required to implement the report’s recommendations is extant.
Within the report is the following damning indictment of the current Minister for Defence and his department: “The Commission is very concerned to note that, despite a commitment made by Government in 2015, there is still no Capability Development Plan or formal Defence capability planning process in place”.
Is that not a total indictment of the existing defence establishment? It should not be forgotten that the current Minister is serving in the role for a second time. He has been continuously in government over the past 11 years. The abject decline of the Defence Forces and the reduction in the State’s defence capacity has taken place on his watch! The process of decline has also occurred during a period when successive taoisigh failed to appoint a dedicated Minister for Defence, appointing either a junior minister or a dual minister to the portfolio. He and the governments in which he was privileged by the citizens to serve have not only failed the Defence Forces, they have failed the State.
He should “do the State some service” now. He should resign his defence portfolio immediately and leave the implementation of the report to a newly appointed Minister for Defence with no other portfolio. – Yours, etc,
SHAY DUFFY,
Sutton,
Dublin 13.
Sir, – I might suggest that the proper conversation to be had is why do we need “Defence Forces” at all? There may be a role for militarily trained and disciplined persons for such tasks as aiding the civil power in emergencies, marine protection or contributing to UN missions. But no rational person could think that we could hold out for more than a very short time if some large power wished to invade us. To counter that threat by beefing up what we have as some sort of deterrent would simply be a waste of resources. What we need is a root-and-branch rational re-evaluation of the outcomes we want from our Defence Forces. And I doubt if “defending the State” is actually one of those that makes sense. – Yours, etc,
IAN d’ALTON,
Naas,
Co Kildare.
Sir, – Much is being made of the inadequate state of the Defence Forces. But who would invade? Even the natives can’t find somewhere to live. – Yours, etc,
EUGENE TANNAM,
Dublin 24.
Sir, – My preferred option for defending this country is to cover it with a dome which will have magical properties. – Yours, etc,
MARGARET WINTERS,
Skerries,
Co Dublin.