Some thoughts about the @IRLCoDF (Thread). The commission is a once in a generation chance for #Ireland to think about how it views it’s national interests and security. Overall though, it feels that expectation management is going to be important. There will inevitably be a lot
of disappointed people. Whether it’s those calling for squadrons of Gripens or retired Generals calling for more brigades - at some point expectation has to meet reality. Let’s be real here. #Irish national debt is close to a quarter of a trillion. Every Euro spent by the gov
in the next decade has to answer - does it make an Irish citizen have a better quality of life? If that means better security, great. If that means better healthcare, great.

Whatever the Commission decides, it would be best if those from all parts of the debate used the time
now to pause to take a moment. Realise that the security debate in Ireland has come far in the past few years (from a low base). From conferences to books to clubs and podcasts - it’s been great to see the nation start to debate this stuff seriously. With that in mind though,
security maturity requires that people are willing to challenge their own assumptions, throw on the green jersey and be willing to embrace whatever the outcomes are. Modernising for the future to protect our country will require difficult decisions and will
no doubt have effects on many levels. Personal lives, unit histories, service, promotions, ego, prestige etc all may well be challenged by the difficult decisions to come. Ultimately though it’s a great opportunity to try to put aside some of the various fingering pointing that
has gone on and realise that what motivates people to work for, volunteer, write, debate, tweet about their country is our collective concern for it and it’s future in an unstable world.
Covid-19 has shown that when the Irish people and the state pull in one direction, we can do a lot. We will need that kind of mature focus to help ensure our security for the next few decades. [Ends]

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More from @roryireland

21 Jul 20
The UK Intelligence and Security Committee has published it's long awaited Russia Report. As our nearest neighbour, it's always interesting to see what lessons learned #Ireland can draw. (Thread 1/n)
Firstly, how do we interpret what Russia wants from a country like Ireland? The focus in the Irish media has tended to be on things like stealing technology from companies but the bigger strategic picture is important. Ultimately it wants to disrupt European integration
So Ireland could find itself a target of Russian interference in a future European Referendum. Especially if that relates to further security and foreign policy integration whereby Ireland could be used a blocking wedge. Just look at the first Nice Treaty.
Read 28 tweets
5 Mar 20
#Ireland needs this level of oversight and transparency into surveillance...Well, more actually but this is a start. It's madness that the UK of all places has more than we do at political and independent oversight levels.
Worth contrasting UK with Irish Reports. In UK you have teams of people involved in oversight, visiting monthly or weekly as necessary, all with skills to understand what they are looking at. In Ireland you have ONE judge visiting two or three times a year cdn.thejournal.ie/media/2015/05/…
In the UK reports it outlines special categories of information that is afforded extra protection. For example journalists, lawyers, health data. So in a healthy democracy people can make a judgement of whether the six examples of surveillance on journalists strikes a balance. Image
Read 32 tweets

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