Dear Editor – I concur wholeheartedly with Michael McDowell’s insightful commentary highlighting the inadequacies in our Defence Forces and police services, which merit prompt governmental intervention (“If the worst happens, who would come to Ireland’s defence?” Opinion, April 24th).
Indeed, while our nation enjoys neutrality, it is fundamentally important that in the context of the evolving global stage, we embody a robust form of neutrality. It is of utmost importance that we have the capacity to enforce our sovereignty over our skies and territorial waters, especially as we advance our offshore wind farm projects and safeguard our subsea cables. This calls for significant enhancements in the naval capabilities, particularly the ability to deploy state-of-the-art sonar technology.
Furthermore, it is paramount that we give due attention to equipping our Garda with adequately trained personnel and contemporary equipment, to efficiently manage disturbances similar to the riots we experienced in Dublin the previous November. In light of this, it is a matter of importance that a portion of our budget surplus is directed towards addressing these concerns to safeguard our serene, resistant democracy. – Yours faithfully,
MIKE CORMACK,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.