Can someone please explain to me what is the purpose of the Irish army??The purpose of an army is to either attack or to defend. Our army can't attack (ie project its might abroad) without booking with either Ryanair or the ferry companies and as for defence, don't blink or you'll miss the overrun.

The country is neutral, it makes no contribution to any international
defence alliance and its UN contribution can be replaced by a monetary contribution equal to the costs of the peacekeeping mission which would have taken place.

We can have a national guard (unpaid) on call-up for civil disaster; an élite, specialist, armed Guardia Nationale-type force for civil unrest; Group 4 can deliver cash to banks; local councils can fill sand bags; and all the usual nutters can escort various saintly bones around the place. The savings on salary, pension and boys' toys make this a complete no-brainer. Why is no one talking about this great elephant in the room?

Ron Butler-Davis,

Ballyfoyle, Kilkenny