Election 2011 and the Air Corps

[danno]

Whatever about the election wrt the IAC,I spotted that Kilkennyman Fergal Purcell has been made Gov Press sec,He recently retired from army.

[GoneToTheCanner]

Hi there,
The pols don't give a shit about the DF unless they have served or have a garrison in their constituency. Picture the scenario if the Shinners get in as part of a coalition. They're hardly going to spend more on the DF, given that the DF are guarding their mates in Portlaoise. I'd say the RDF are ****ed and the DF won't get any big-dollar kit for ages, except for emergency duty.
regards
GttC

[warthog]

Or possibly because they're all soldiers and it is against the law for them to criticise policy publicly?

there's been plenty of attention in the UK brought on the acts of the MOD recently
i.e scrapping Nimrod
a whistleblower here,a briefcase left on a train there
there's ways and means to get the info out into the world

[Eddie Dillon]

they'll all slash and burn Defence when they're backs are to the wall and they are under pressure to find that few million more in cuts and their looking for soft targets in the public's eye

the people of Ireland largely couldn't give a **** about the Military as we are rubbish at playing the media and keeping the work done well publicised.
the Military leadership won't go for the jugular in the media to defend the meager budget we do have for fear of pissing off the minister

so I expect cuts regardless because they're all spineless wankers with one eye on the pension (what's left of it)

Or possibly because they're all soldiers and it is against the law for them to criticise policy publicly?

[warthog]

they'll all slash and burn Defence when they're backs are to the wall and they are under pressure to find that few million more in cuts and their looking for soft targets in the public's eye

the people of Ireland largely couldn't give a **** about the Military as we are rubbish at playing the media and keeping the work done well publicised.
the Military leadership won't go for the jugular in the media to defend the meager budget we do have for fear of pissing off the minister

so I expect cuts regardless because they're all spineless wankers with one eye on the pension (what's left of it)

[balkanhawk]

Had an hour to spare this evening and decided to see what the political parties have to say regarding the DF an the air corps.

Fine Gael election manifesto

7.3 Air Corps
Drug Interdiction: We will maximise the resources available to the Air Corps to target the illegal
importation of drugs into Ireland.
Ministerial Air Transport Service (MATS): We will introduce a new code of practice for the use of
the government jet ensuring cost effective and transparent travel. To stamp out any abuse, cheaper
commercial alternatives must be taken when possible.

Another interesting paragraph

Overseas Missions: We believe that the Triple Lock must be modified to allow Ireland participate in
peacekeeping missions. The failure of the UN Security Council to pass a resolution should not prevent us
from taking part in overseas missions. We believe that Irish troops should be capable of being deployed at
short notice, if requested, to assist in emergency relief efforts at times of humanitarian crises.

Fine Fail election manifesto

No mention of the Air Corps or even Defence in general.

Green Party election manifesto

No mention of Defence


Sinn Fein election manifesto

No mention of the Air Corps or Defence.

Labour election manifesto

No mention of the Air Corps but a small section on Defence. Looks like they will maintain the triple lock.

opinions after the beep!