Ireland's 60th Anniversary of Peacekeeping

The men and women of the Defence Forces have contributed close to 70,000 individual tours of duty to UN Peacekeeping since our first deployment in 1958.
The 645 men and women of the Defence Forces currently deployed in 13 missions, in 13 countries and one sea around the world, are continuing Ireland's proud record of the longest unbroken peacekeeping service of any nation in the world.
That record has not come without cost, 87 members have lost their lives in the cause of peace, on Sunday we will remember their sacrifice, as well as celebrate their contribution to world peace."

[@paddy3290]

Shame the army doesn't get the respect it deserves from politicians and half the country

[@paddy3290]

I understand that but in those nations their soldiers do get some recognition and some incentive to want to serve their country but with Ireland soldiers don't get anything....well a discount to dominos and there is not a lot done for veterans either. with a military with 60 years of peace keeping done you'd think the army would be treated better.

[@jackfahy6925]

Any chance do ye want to increase military spending

[@paddy3290]

jacktheman in some places more funds are needed like equipment and training

[@jackfahy6925]

Patrick I think the majority of funds should go to the Navy and air Force but the army should not be neglected

[@paddy3290]

The navy got a big portion of this years budget and yeah true the air corps do need a serious amount of money for combat aircraft, helicopters and transport planes.

[@RealTimeCommanders]

My dad served as a peacekeeper, As a citizen of ireland, well done lads, thanks for your service and keeping with your duty and honour. Thank you

[@iancoffey2924]

Real-Time Commanders love your channel mate

[@TICTACMANTIPS]

Did you watch siege of jadotville I recommend it you will have years at end scene

[@georanger6180]

True

[@maxhuber1361]

God bless Ireland ! Greetings from Germany

[@michaelcollins2319]

Well done lads, well done thank you for your service from Northern Ireland

[@JamesHussey404]

Amazing video the lads who put this together should be proud of themselves and I'm proud to say 2moro morning on the 25th June I start my training as a recruit.

[@seanlynch3407]

Go on, man.

[@daithinolanskl1977]

My advice, do as many trips overseas and as many useful courses as you can get before you start to hate the job and quit for a job that pays a living wage.

[@eoinnofallamhain8936]

Good luck man.

[@adamdowd6078]

How long did it take you to get to basic training I applied in April and just done the online assessment a few weeks ago

[@JamesHussey404]

Adam Dowd It varys from a few Months to a year or more took me 10 weeks.

[@72mossy]

My father was in the Congo with the 34th Battalion in 61. He still an active man working away at 80

[@greasytoaster7042]

A little army we are but welcomed everywhere we go. GOD BLESS IRELAND

[@noelfogarty2054]

my dad was the second batch of un soldiers to go to the congo , january 1961 . RIP dad he served in the army from 1948 until 1977 , 2 tours in the congo . one in cyprus and two in lebanon

[@72mossy]

RIP to your Dad Noel. My Dad served with the 34th Battalion as well, flew out in January. He did basic in Clonmel and then sent to curragh. He's still in great form at nearly 81.

[@noelfogarty2054]

@@72mossy your lucky man to still have your dad in your life, i am sure your dad and my dad knew each other, they must of had , because dad knew alot of guys from the army , he was a training nco in the curragh for a few years. so he probably trainded your dad and respect to your dad mossy,

[@noelfogarty2054]

@@72mossy just realised , maybe ask your dad if he knew of a gerry fogarty from clonmel. his nickname was the growler

[@bdaraider2126]

Proud to be irish second I turn 18 they'll see my name to join

[@pbarbim]

Respect from Brazil.

[@irishpatronimo5875]

And three years later we've gotten that seat on the UNSC. I'm always proud of the men and women of the Defence Forces and I hope that one day I'll be able to join them on this vital mission.

[@yusefdjedi5682]

I am joining after corona this should inspire anyone to join the peace keppers

[@michaelmartin7333]

God bless you lads. The IDF will always be my home, I'm glad it's finally getting the recognition of a deserving force to be reckoned with.

[@taintabird23]

A wonderful video. At a time when our values - many at the core of our identity as Irish people - are becoming increasingly unfashionable, Ireland needs to continue to stand up for the weak and the voiceless. As JFK says in this video, we Irish are not neutral between liberty and tyranny. Long may it continue.

[@suolasfilms]

"Not Neutral"? Ah, you mean the official Irish stance during the 1st and 2nd World Wars. Of course the Un-Official stance was pro-German. In return for a Cache of weapons and 1 million rounds of ammunition, Ireland offered Germany a clear path from Cork to Dublin/Dun Laoghaire, from there onto an exposed and undefended western Scottish/Welsh/English coast. The shipment carried by The Aud, originally called the SS Castro, captured by Germany and renamed to appear like a similar Norwegian ship of the same name was intercepted by the Royal Navy and subsequently scuttled by her Captain. The second world war was much the same. A clear path offered. "Irish revolutionaries had seen Germany as a prospective ally to assist their drive for independence. Such reasoning stirred Roger Casement’s doomed efforts to solicit German aid for the 1916 Rising, and this pattern continued after Irish independence. Germany was viewed as a military and economic counterpole to British influence, and the high quality products of its modern firms were sought for Irish industrialisation." "In practice, after 1933 de Valera’s Ireland operated a dual-track policy. While a policy of non-interference in, or no comment on, German domestic affairs operated, equally de Valera sympathised with Germans’ nationalist grievances against the Versailles Treaty. Ireland accepted successive faits accomplis by Hitler, such as the German withdrawal from the League of Nations (1933), rearmament, the remilitarisation of the Rhineland (1936), and the absorption of Austria (1938)." www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/ireland-and-the-nazis-a-troubled-history-1.3076579 Irish envoy to Berlin Charles Bewley: anti-Semitic and Anglophobic. "Bewley’s Berlin reports gush Nazi support and Jewish conspiracies. When Jews tried to leave Germany, he ensured barely any received Irish visas. When it was proposed that 90 “non-Aryan Christian refugees” came to Ireland, he refused to process them. “It is notorious… that thousands of Jews have been baptized to avoid inconveniences to which they were exposed by membership of the Jewish religion”. This was only months after Kristallnacht. As Irish ambassador Charles Bewley personally prevented hundreds of Jewish refugees escaping Germany." www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/three-hatreds-drove-him-the-english-the-jews-and-de-valera-1.3083499

[@danmacartain9973]

suolasfilms Go away, you ignorant troll. Ireland had NO official position in World War One, as we were still part of the UK at the time. Do try to regain contact with historical reality. It is patently obvious from your screed of minor facts wrenched out of context, that you find reality, with its richness and complexity, really, REALLY difficult....

[@taintabird23]

"Not Neutral"? .Ah, you mean the official Irish stance during the 1st and 2nd World Wars.' Nope, I mean since 1955 when Ireland joined the United Nations. Ireland was NOT neutral in the First World War, 350,000 served and 35,000 were killed - indeed the largest monument to the Irish war dead of the First World War exists in Dublin. In the Second World War Irish neutrality was a sophisticated deception based on a two track policy: external scrupulousness in maintaining the diplomatic niceties of neutrality and secret de facto co-operation with the Allies. In WW2 Irish neutrality was a public relations exercise by the Irish Government that convinced everyone at home and abroad, especially the Nazis, that Irish neutrality was unpartisan. The remainder of your post is confused, selective and an excellent justification for the reverse of the trend of dropping history as a core subject in the UK education system. I look forward to you saying something else stupid. Somehow, I know you won't let me down.

[@suolasfilms]

Dan MacArtain, "The very fact of German assistance, however limited and ineffectual, was confirmed in the words of the 1916 Proclamation which made reference to the rebels ‘gallant allies in Europe’; it was reflected, too, in the severity of the treatment of the Rising’s leaders, fifteen of whom were executed after being charged with ‘taking part in an armed rebellion and in the waging of war against His Majesty, the King’. Of course, the executions of the leaders and the arrest and internment of thousands of others would gradually help sway public sympathy towards the rebels and against the British government. Yet, on 11 May 1916, in the course of a House of Commons debate in which the behaviour of the British military authorities were fiercely denounced, one Irish Party MP, Tim Healy, called for balance and an understanding of the context in which the executions took place. While regretting those very executions, Healy added: ‘I cannot forget the fact of the rebellion, the fact that that rebellion broke out at a moment when it was evidently done in concert with Germany, and the fact also that there came a descent upon the shores of this country by way of invasion at the same time as this uprising in Ireland.’" .rte.ie/centuryireland/index.php/articles/the-first-world-war-1916 After you, puppet.

[@suolasfilms]

Taint ABird, Confused? You must mean the quotes from the Irish Times? I can see how you would think that. I guess not even having an escaped Nazi at the centre of your text book publishing is reason enough to warrant an investigation. Not even when numerous school are dropping all books printed by the Folens printing company. In fact, you sounded positively giddy when word-playing between educational printer and teacher (Which he was for a year or two before moving onto something larger in scale) clearly ignorant of the fact that in Ireland, he was both.

[@corporal747]

Wow what a video. Fantastic spine tingling stuff. Pity Vrandkar ruined it by talking at the end the massive bell end

[@eoinnofallamhain8936]

Agreed

[@jackfahy6925]

Ye hate him too

[@jacquelinemanning7890]

You’re right in his wildest dreams he couldn’t live up to jfk

[@myguy647]

big boss, so fine gael wasn't elected by the people? because last time I checked we don't hold votes for taoiseach

[@k1ngcrust]

Pesco advertisement produced by the strategic communication unit, I shit you not lads. Neutral my arse

[@enzorezaian9311]

Our country may be small but it has the biggest impact

[@davidgallagher4410]

An outstanding video!!!

[@coady5787]

They are just showing that in our struggle no one reached out but in there struggle we will!!

[@williamtraynor-kean7214]

Ireland should be proud of its Defence Forces they punch well above their weight, many people underestimate the difficulties of peacekeeping as my RSM remarked "its playing piggy in the middle" at a professional level. So a very large "Bravo Zulu" to the IDF, well done carry on.

[@peacemaker6929]

This really gives me motivation leading up to the recruitment hopefully it opens soon I can’t wait to join

[@kevinfarrell3658]

I served.

[@bigbadredsox]

Remember them all.

[@seamuskelly1926]

The best ever.. Eireann go Braith

[@richardevans413]

Excellent video

[@gibby8540]

Im tempted to join when I finish my leaving cert next year but apparently u get more on the dole

[@thenotoriousgrape6175]

For some people it's about money but for me its helping people that's why I am joining but because this comment is 2 years old u neither joined or u didnt

[@ryanbayly9175]

Well done lads I hope to be like yous when I grow up keep it up and I hope one day I can wear the blue helmet

[@martykiely127]

The blue helmet is for UN peace keeping missions

[@franfountain7278]

My dad served here in 1988-89 time

[@bki6218]

Great clip but leo had no place in it.... especaly on a clip with a man like Kennedy fronting.. leo could not clean his shoes..never mind fill them

[@michaeldepaor6844]

He’s our taoiseach why wouldn’t he deserve a spot and this coming from a Sinn feinn supporter who doesn’t care for fine gael

[@bki6218]

Don't get it do yea

[@michaeldepaor6844]

jim corboy so who do you support so

[@daithinolanskl1977]

You voted for him did ya mike? You knew he'd be you're Taoiseach did ya? Clown.

[@danmacartain9973]

@Daithi N Your ignorance concerning the Constitution of Ireland is, obviously, both wide and deep. Try reading it before commenting on our politics again, there's a good little ignoramus...

[@kmkristaps4341]

Great speach!

[@halitymom]

i love you all!

[@pixythegunner]

Remember Jadotville

[@jackryan1648]

Waiting for British lads to comment and flex off their military power 😩

[@finnbazz6315]

Jack Ryan WhErE aRe YoUr NuKeS?!

[@jharekcarnelian]

That is not the point of a military. It's job is to defend it's nation, yes the Irish military could use more investment. However you routinely comment on videos focussing on Ireland and slag the Irish people off and anyone who doubt that is free to test that by looking your comments up.

[@bigyin2586]

Ireland's real defence force is the British army, the RAF and the RN. If they didn't exist, Ireland couldn't afford feelgood peacekeeping ventures for its military.

[@martykiely127]

@@bigyin2586 Ireland is its own sovereign nation and needs no help from them brits across that sea. Ireland has enough funding for their own peacekeeping. The RAF, British army or the RA have nothing to do with this.

[@TICTACMANTIPS]

The siege of jadotville true story what a movie goes to show the Irish can fight when they have too but it exposes Irish army top brass,UN and Irish government they treated soldiers very badly on return

[@noelfogarty2054]

my father was one of those guys he never spoke about it

[@martykiely127]

@@noelfogarty2054 what is his name may I ask?

[@saggerias8519]

Im telling you, ireland becomr a member of the security council it would stick it to the big guys!

[@derekobeirnes482]

It's the shame over years the Irish government have constantly let it's people down!!

[@flynnsa1998]

They deserve a pay rise

[@corbincouch7679]

I'm glad we are peaceful but I wish we would also stand for or ground as well

[@mrhoppy_9724]

Varadkar has no place in this video, nor does Paul Kehoe. Until our defence forces get the respect they deserve I will look on the Dáil and the department of defence with contempt and shame.

[@72mossy]

He's a fuckin rat

[@michaelboylan5308]

IDF, 2 months ago in 3 notes I argued that U,N,Peacekeeping must radically change and that the IDF/Irish Govt, is uniquely placed to facilitate that change At present UN Peacekeeping does not have a future, China/Russia/USA increasing ignore the UN and act unilaterally, Private army contractors like Eric Prince express loathing for UN Peacekeepers, A 2 billion cash contract in Iraq, How does the UN compete with that? IDF, You have the answer

[@AgentPrimus]

FUCKING INSPIRING!

[@michaelboylan5308]

IDF, For 60 years you have punched above your weight but NOW you need to punch at the heavyweight level at the UN, Not with numbers but with expertise, The IDF is uniquely placed to do this,1,Irish Peacekeeping has worldwide recognition and credibility,2,Ireland does not belong to NATO and is seen as neutralist,This is immensely attractive to the 120 countries or The Nonaligned Movement,3 Ireland has become an advanced social democracy, It is in the top 10 in the world with the Nordic countries and NZ, This is the nucleus to start rebuilding democracy worldwide,4,With Brexit Ireland is the only English language country in the EU, As Sikorsky said,,Bad English is the language of the EU, The Irish do not speak/write bad English,5, Ireland should be on the S,C, in 2021/22, The IDF should take cognisance of these 5 factors and plan accordingly, I suggested in note 2 below a top level working group,The protocols of UN Peacekeeping need to change especially the rules of engagement,The Irish could become the instructors of UN Peacekeepers worldwide, Personally my only agenda is Democracy, Democracy is under threat worldwide, The IDF/Ireland are uniquely placed to defend Democracy, Do not shirk your destiny, From 1960 to 64 the IDF fought to preserve democracy in The Congo, With 10000 troops and full UN support you might have won,The Congo had 33 days of democracy in 1960 and the UN is still there, IDF, Do not shirk your destiny, Cuchulainn didnt, I will forward a full memorandum if you request it

[@benr2866]

JFK

[@cjryan88]

and you have only been captured twice

[@michaelboylan5308]

I support the UN UN Peacekeeping the Irish Contribution BUT the whole enterprise is deeply flawed and problematic, The UN in Bosnia and Rwanda were negligent ,,genocides ensued,The overriding principle was that no lives were to be lost,, a crazy notion, In 4 years in The Congo the Irish were superb,,even after Niemba the Army/Govt, kept its nerve,The Irish FOUGHT to prevent secession/restore democracy, Response appreciated

[@michaelboylan5308]

I know the IDF cant respond but I ask it to consider the issues raised, I am not an Irish citizen,,I have no political agenda, At times UN peacekeeping is tokenistic and ineffectual,,,,at worst it is negligent and counterproductive, Ireland should NOT be a party to that, In 2018 the UN CinC, in the Congo said UN forces must br more aggressive, Well,,that was the Irish approach 60 years ago in the Congo,,and if the Irish had had FULL UN support,,the UN would not be in the Congo now,The Congo fell into chaos and a 30 year dictatorship but not through Irish flaws, I believe Conor Cruise O Brien was right, He is unjustly maligned now by Sinn Fein fanatics, Can I suggest the IDF forms a top level working group with the Irish Gov, Irish Civil Service and Irish Diplomatic Corps to formulate an ethics of UN Peacekeeping, Ireland should utilise its worldwide credibility and credentials in Peacekeeping to help reformulate UN Peacekeeping, Hopefully Ireland will be on The UN Security Council in 2021/22, I would appreciate an acknowledgement,,,if not a response,,,to this argument,

[@completely_blank9265]

I wish Ireland had a foreign legion like France I’d join in a heart beat

[@keithwatson1384]

Completely_Blank where r u from??

[@completely_blank9265]

Keith Watson Usa my moms from Sligo and my dad from Munster and there parents before so I’m not irish just my family is and tbh I have more loyalty to Ireland than the usa

[@uinseann2352]

If your parents were born in Ireland you are entitled to a irish passport and citizenship and you are eligible to join the Defence forces

[@completely_blank9265]

Ik but id rather be put in situations like the Frenchies do it less peacekeeping more anti-terrorist roles

[@keithwatson1384]

Well I think the forces do terrorist work inside the country, supporting the Gardi(police) and such but I don't really know. Otherwise you could join the French but who wants that, the only other option would be the British as you would be an Irish citizen but I doubt you'll want that either. But the Irish defence forcesdo great work and I would recommend it.

[@garybutler6797]

Yes this video is very inspiring, as it is its intention, but what the hidden shameless message here is its intent to recruit persons into a Defence Forces that is shattered and defeated by its own Government. We now have a Defence Forces depleted of its most experienced personnel and new Recruits buying themselves out of service due to lack of pay and conditions.The Defence forces do a 24 hour duty sometimes twice a week for less than €1 an hour, and work in defiance of the European Work in Time act. Having served over 20 years in both the Army and Navy of Ireland, I have nothing but respect for my Comrades, who are always available throughout flooding and droughts, at home and abroad. The Military Leadership of the Defence Forces say that its the Government who is to blame which is true to an extent but i fear "Leaders who don't listen will eventually be surrounded by people who have nothing to say" (quote taken from Andy Stanley ).

[@Niall-Noigiallach]

Jesus.great video. But in fairness, Keogh and varadkar just ruined it. With JFK talking and then them idiots to come in it just doesn't fit. Especially with their disregard for the defence forces.

[@leemorrow9575]

....... .......

[@eamonmcgarry5815]

Leo, put yer wallet where yer mouth is. Maybe not hey.

[@suolasfilms]

I see the teachings of Albert Folens are paying dividends. Wasn't it nearly 100 years ago when someone mentioned something about their countries' need for expansion? And just recently Leo Varadker mentioned expanding 'Ireland's global footprint'. He must be thinking of good, old fashioned Jackboots.

[@taintabird23]

Albert Folens taught nothing, he was book publisher. Ireland's 'global footprint' refers to soft power, not hard power. You're so prone to misinterpreting facts, if someone smiled in your direction you would accuse them of bearing their teeth in your direction.

[@suolasfilms]

Taint ABird, Of course you would say that, I am attacking your homeland and people after all, not only that, I'm also saying you were systematically brainwashed your entire educational life. But you know what, unlike your little tirade, I have evidence and facts to corroborate my accusations. What have you got? "misinterpreting facts" You must mean the same as your Natural History Museum claims only one thing precipitated the 12th centuryNorman Invasion of Ireland; Henry II and his greed. It NEGLECTS to mention Diarmait Mac Murchada travelling to England and getting on his knees in fealty to Henry II nor did it mention the Papal Bull ordering the Norman Invasion of Ireland to bring the savages "Under the cross" those who would not kneel and convert, became fertiliser. You can vehemently deny with all the backhanded insults that Ireland allowed an ESCAPED Nazi War Criminal to be the countries Largest Education Publisher like he was the only one your government actively sheltered, ignoring the likes of Otto Skorzeny -Hitler's favourite, saviour of Mussolini, Andrija Artukovic - responsible for over a million deaths, or Helmut Clissman - Nazi Spy, successful Dublin Businessman to name just 3 more out of 170-220 Nazi seeking sanctuary in a warm and welcoming Ireland. That seems to be the norm around Ireland, no matter where I travel, the accurate, historical facts seem to not be that apparent yet lie after lie can be told and an entire country believes, faithfully that soon, their day will come. Not that it's been and gone MULTIPLE TIMES already. Guess few more bombing campaigns will put that to rights, Don't do you think, Taint?

[@David-lu4gq]

..........What? More or less every lad in Ireland knows that Diarmait Mac Murchada invited Strongbow in to help regain his throne, and after Diarmait died, Strongbow took the throne. Pretty sure Henry II Came in out of fear and anger of a powerful Norman lord building a "kingdom of Leinster" that Henry couldn't control. The Papal Bull? Sorry lad, that's been debunked for a while now. Honestly, I can only find info on Otto Skorzeny. He apreciated the warm welcome he got at the Portmarnock Country Club hotel in County Dublin. He liked it so much, he bought a home in Martinstown and became a farmer. Maybe you can give me info on the other Germans? To conclude lad, we do not hide accurate historical facts. It seems you are simply a poor troll. Please go.

[@suolasfilms]

David Dowdall, Right so because you say so, I should just ignore YEARS of actual, personal research? Sorry, lad. You think Strongbow would just throw away his loyalty like that? Just because you choose to omit or just plain ignore the facts like "Henry authorised Diarmait to seek help from the soldiers and mercenaries in his kingdom in exchange for an oath of allegiance. In October 1171, Henry landed a large army in Ireland to establish control over both the Anglo-Normans and the Irish." Just in case you missed the class, here's some primary level history for you; "Diarmuid MacMurrough knew that there were Norman knights and soldiers in England and he invited them to Ireland to help him. He first had to get permission from King Henry II, who at the time was the king of England and also the king of Normandy in France. In 1170, a Norman lord called Richard de Clare, nicknamed Strongbow, came to Ireland from Wales. Strongbow brought archers, knights and horsemen with him and helped Diarmuid to capture Waterford and Dublin. Strongbow later married Diarmuid’s daughter, Aoife. In 1171, when Diarmuid died, Strongbow became the King of Leinster." askaboutireland.ie/learning-zone/primary-students/subjects/history/history-the-full-story/norman-ireland-medieval-i/ "Debunked" you say? Funny, only news and historical items I can find say it has been DISPUTED but not debunked; "We, therefore, regarding your pious and laudable design with due favour, and graciously assenting to your petition, do hereby declare our will and pleasure, that, for the purpose of enlarging the borders of the Church, setting bounds to the progress of wickedness, reforming evil manners, planting virtue, and increasing the Christian Religion, you do enter and take possession of that island, and execute therein whatsoever shall be fore God's honour and the welfare of the same......That the Church there may be adorned by them, the Christian faith be planted and increased, and all that concerns the honour of God and the salvation of souls be ordered by you in like manner; so that you may receive at God's hands the blessed reward of everlasting life, and may obtain on earth a glorious name in ages to come." And, if as you say, it was debunked, how could it have been confirmed by Pope Alexander III? Even if it was, it STILL doesn't change the fact from the date of the Bull's issue, it was accepted without question as genuine by both the Irish Nation and the Vatican. Nor would Donal O'Neill and the Irish Princes appeal to Pope John XXII directly citing the Papal Bull, they don't dispute the bill but that England had not fulfilled it's holy duty. Can only find any info on Otto? kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZWQlIKNnrOZj80 - Ireland's Nazi's Episode 1 - Andrija Artuković What's especially damning, is how you treated your own who chose to fight the Nazi's and the Jewish refugee's fleeing for their very lives. You DO hide historical facts. Calling me a liar again, how consummately Irish of you. Museum on Kevin St, Dublin 2, go to the section on the 1100's, see it mention Henry II coming to take Ireland for himself and then see for yourself as I HAVE, there is absolutely No mention of Dairmait or Strongbow or any of the Mercenaries hired by Dairmait or WHY Dairmait crossed the Sea to kneel before HenryII. Context would be important for such historical importance and clarity, wouldn't you agree?

[@David-lu4gq]

Well.... Someone has been triggered. It's up to you on whether or not you want to put aside "years" of your own personal research. Before I properly begin to reply, I gotta state something for you. I didn't call you a liar. Trolls and liars are quite different. Saying that lying is somehow part of the Irish mentality is mad. Just wondering about your own Nationality? Of course Strongbow put his loyalty aside. That was the reason for Henry coming in with an army. Strongbow was getting too big for his boots. Establishing a semi-independant and potentially powerful Kingdom that wasn't fully under his control was a dangerous thing for any Monarch. Henry had to act fast to curb any chance of an Earl breaking away from his authority. I think you missed my point on this the first time. Apologies, I should have said diputed, not debunked. I'll probably get round to watching your attached clip.

[@jamesmccann355]

We need a bigger defence budget. And train with the Israelis and the American's.

[@jackfahy6925]

james mccann na go with Poland, Hungary, Slovakia , the Czech republic ,Italy and Austria

[@jackfahy6925]

Árón I much prefer the Israelis then the Arabs

[@stiltedrumpskin4019]

Fuck the US and Israelis. We should train with fellow EU allies.

[@stiltedrumpskin4019]

jacktheman that's a strawman argument. Id prefer stepping in shit than breaking my leg but that doesn't mean stepping in shit is something that I should do.

[@jackfahy6925]

stilted rumpskin fuck the EU

[@clevertrevor]

shameless political bandwagoning by varadkar to gain favour on the backs of irish soldiers.

[@jackfahy6925]

He never win them over

[@hibernian797]

the defense forces are bollix. get new equipment and I'll sign up.

[@Copperfish24]

Hibernian They wouldn't take you with an attitude like that. You'd be the first to quit when shit gets tough.

[@johnoconnell2446]

Hibernian ALL our equipment is new .We Dont need people who make stupid comments without checking their facts.

[@hibernian797]

E Buckley i would not

[@hibernian797]

John Oconnell the steyr aug works. My main problem is with the armour. I heard they got rid of their scorpions. They should invest a few atleat tanks.

[@andrewleonard475]

Hibernian I think they are still using the scorpions. But still the scorpions are outdated and due a replacement.