Ireland's Inability to Defend Itself

Perceived Threats and “Defend Itself from What?”

• Some argue Ireland faces real modern threats: drones, Russian ships near undersea cables, airspace incursions, and potential attacks on data cables and pipelines.
• Others see a full-scale invasion (e.g., by Russia) as fantastical, suggesting that in such a scenario Ireland’s own military would be irrelevant and capitulation might minimize damage.
• A minority stresses non‑kinetic threats (election and social‑media interference) as more pressing.

Neutrality, Reliance on Others, and “Free-Riding”

• A strong line of criticism: Ireland effectively relies on UK and broader NATO capabilities while proclaiming neutrality, likened to a U.S. state refusing to fund federal defense.
• Some label this hypocrisy: expecting others to defend Ireland while refusing to commit to mutual defense if other European states are attacked.
• Others counter that Ireland has a principled pacifist tradition and that small states rationally prioritize social spending over building unwinnable militaries.

Irish Military Capability and Peacekeeping

• Ireland is described as having very limited conventional capabilities (no jets, no tanks) and being unable to resist a serious invasion or properly police airspace and maritime borders.
• Supporters note its longstanding UN peacekeeping role (including Lebanon, Kosovo, Jadotville) and argue this is “doing good in the world.”
• Critics say these missions range from ineffective to counterproductive, citing failures to constrain Hezbollah and broader UN structural issues.

History, Morality, and Colonial Context

• Ireland’s WWII neutrality provokes debate: some deride it as “standing aside” from the fight against Nazism; others note many Irish volunteered to fight via the UK and were later punished or blacklisted at home.
• Irish historical experience of British rule and solidarity with anti‑colonial movements (Native Americans, Palestinians, Hezbollah/Lebanon) is invoked to justify a deep suspicion of great‑power militarism.

Russia, Ukraine, and Irish “Big Mouth” Critique

• One camp argues that states without real military power should be cautious in loudly criticizing others’ foreign policy, citing Irish politicians opposed to arming Ukraine.
• Another camp rejects the idea that military strength is a prerequisite for having strong moral or political opinions.

Economics and Strategic Value

• Some note Ireland’s wealth and corporate‑tax model, accusing it of “free‑riding” both on allies’ defense spending and on EU tax bases.
• A few wryly say Ireland is so useful as a tax haven that others are effectively incentivized to protect it.