As we near the close of hosting Europe’s defence ministers, an uncomfortable truth has been exposed: Ireland cannot independently defend the skies above us.
We have no fighter jets or credible long range air defence system. A Royal Navy warship is reportedly providing protection from approximately 22 kilometres offshore but cannot enter Irish territorial waters while on active operations because of constitutional concerns.
Think about that.
We need our nearest neighbour for protection because we cannot provide it ourselves, yet the ship providing it must remain outside our waters.
Ireland also relies on a ‘top-cover’ arrangement under which RAF Typhoons may intercept a dangerous aircraft in our airspace. In a serious interception, the stark warning from the RAF pilot begins: “ I am instructed by His Majesty’s Government of the United Kingdom…”
Those words could be transmitted while protecting Irish citizens in Irish airspace.
Britain and France are not responsible for this failure. Successive Irish governments are.
The warning signs are everywhere. Russia’s hybrid activities are no longer theoretical. Our sub-sea cables, data centres, ports and energy infrastructure are strategically important to Ireland, Europe and the world.
Then there is a small matter at Shannon Airport.
In April, an intruder allegedly breached a secure area, climbed onto a US Air Force C-130 Hercules and attacked its wing and fuselage. The aircraft suffered significant damage, was taken out of service and reportedly remains grounded at Shannon. The United States later offered to transfer ownership of it to Ireland, but the Government declined.
Whatever one’s politics, an individual entering a supposedly secure airfield and disabling a US military aircraft was an extraordinary security failure.
Ireland has committed a further €125 million to support Ukraine, including its defence capabilities. Supporting Ukraine is right but how can we help to fund another country’s defence while remaining incapable of credibly defending our own skies?
Neutrality does not mean helplessness. Cooperation should strengthen a national capability, not replace it.
Ireland has dedicated and very proud Defence Forces personnel. The failure lies with governments that have not provided them with the essential equipment, technology, staffing and resources required.
A sovereign state that cannot protect its skies, waters, infrastructure and citizens is sovereign in name but dangerously dependent in practice.
