Ireland stands at a pivotal moment where the lessons of our past and the uncertainties of tomorrow demand clear-eyed reflection and prudent action. For decades, neutrality was mis-sold as defencelessness, our Defence Forces were pared back in the belief that peace was permanent and threats were far away.
The consequences – a largely disbanded Army and Navy Reserve, the closure of Army and Air Corps locations, buying second hand ships for the Navy, and refusing to protect Ireland’s national air bridge. These follies are now widely recognised as gross policy incompetence, akin to regulatory failures that led to the banking crisis and loss of Irish sovereign economic control.
Political, institutional, media and citizen flattery not respect for our Defence Forces
The Defence Forces’ dedication, both at home and abroad, has been unwavering, but their warnings went unheeded, and, as before in Irish public life, the cost of silencing uncomfortable truths has yet again proven steep. Today, the world order is shifting from rules to power. The transatlantic security umbrella that once shielded Ireland is retracting, and Europe can no longer rely on the United States to pay for Atlantic security.
Ireland, now the westernmost EU nation, finds itself uniquely exposed – lacking Air Policing and a properly resourced Navy – the only state from Morocco to the North Pole in such a position. This is not about abandoning neutrality, but embracing true neutrality, about defending it with credibility and foresight. Our duty to future generations is clear: we must face these realities with wisdom and courage, not fear. Hope is a powerful emotion, but it is not a policy.
Ireland’s defence policy, rooted in alleged neutrality and a commitment to peace, must evolve to meet new threats – cyberattacks, airspace incursions, sub-sea sabotage, mis and disinformation and the unpredictable tides of global affairs. True neutrality demands the capacity to defend our people and our values, ensuring that Irish families remain secure and free from entanglement in foreign conflicts. Economic security requires military capability.
Embracing cooperation and enhancing Ireland’s military Operational Capability
Participation in EU initiatives like PESCO and the European Defence Fund offer opportunities for collaboration, but over-reliance on any single partner, however close, risks undermining our strategic autonomy. As Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney warned, “You cannot ‘live within the lie’ of mutual benefit through integration when integration becomes the source of your subordination.” Ireland must avoid becoming beholden to the defence priorities of others, even as we value our deep US and European ties.
Our economic relationship with the United States is vital, supporting jobs and innovation across the island. While Mayo might be 800 miles closer to Cyprus than Maine, our shared history and bonds suggest Maine will always be closer through family ties and direct access.
Aligning too closely with one EU nation’s defence ecosystem limits our freedom to act in our own best interests, in ways we cannot see right now. Ireland’s hard-won autonomy in foreign policy must not be ceded; deeper EU defence integration should not come at the expense of our independent voice on the world stage or ability to act unilaterally in defence of our neutrality. Without debate or awareness, we are rapidly aligning with a single EU state.
A changing European Union
The European Union itself is changing, with defence now a central pillar alongside economic integration. As a net contributor to the EU budget, Ireland must ensure that increased defence spending delivers tangible benefits at home. Investing in dual-use technologies and supporting Irish SMEs through EU programmes will build resilience, create high-value jobs, and help recoup some of the funds now flowing abroad. This is particularly important with reductions in agricultural transfers.
A modern, well-equipped Navy, robust national Air Policing capabilities, enhanced cyber and drone defences, sufficient land forces to protect Vital Installations and Infrastructure like ports, airports, power stations and land borders for disease controls, human and animal, are essential. Partnerships with Nordic nations – Norway, Sweden, Finland – offer models of affordable and accountable collaboration. Cross-border cooperation with Northern Ireland will further enhance our capabilities and ensure that Irish ingenuity remains at the heart of our security.
In conclusion, Ireland must chart a course through turbulent times with calm resolve and careful planning. Balancing diverse defence procurement, safeguarding autonomy, and defending neutrality are not mutually exclusive, rather they are the foundations of a secure and prosperous future. Now is the time to plan with wisdom, not fear. We must not become dependent on any one nation rather we must accept that the storms of tomorrow are unknown yet certain. A credible and believable National Security Strategy remains embarrassingly absent.
Galway-native Gerard Craughwell is a former member of the 1st Infantry Battalion at Renmore Barracks, Galway
