UNIFIL and the Irish Army

[NewBroom]

So our longstanding arrangement to send Irish Defence Forces personnel to the Lebanon will come to an end in about 16 months: https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2025/0828 ... gn-policy/

Whatever about the ins and outs of peacekeeping and the value of this work and lives lost over the decades, it was interesting to hear the other side of this equation being aired on radio this morning. The generally unspoken 'value' of this mission: apparently

- it encourages recruitment into the Defence Forces
- offers a bit of excitement other than sitting in barracks
- puts a nice wad of pay into personnel pockets, so they can put down a deposit or whatever on return.
- gives the Defence Forces a real training ground rather than popping off short dated ammo and blanks down in Glen of Imaal
- gives the Defence Forces a bit of meaning and pride.
- opportunities to identify promotions within the ranks

I thought it was all to do with peacekeeping, but apparently not really... what'll they do instead now?

[marhay70]

So our longstanding arrangement to send Irish Defence Forces personnel to the Lebanon will come to an end in about 16 months: https://www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2025/0828 ... gn-policy/

Whatever about the ins and outs of peacekeeping and the value of this work and lives lost over the decades, it was interesting to hear the other side of this equation being aired on radio this morning. The generally unspoken 'value' of this mission: apparently

- it encourages recruitment into the Defence Forces
- offers a bit of excitement other than sitting in barracks
- puts a nice wad of pay into personnel pockets, so they can put down a deposit or whatever on return.
- gives the Defence Forces a real training ground rather than popping off short dated ammo and blanks down in Glen of Imaal
- gives the Defence Forces a bit of meaning and pride.
- opportunities to identify promotions within the ranks

I thought it was all to do with peacekeeping, but apparently not really... what'll they do instead now?

No doubt Mehole and the Stick Insect have plans to deploy them, Trump style, on our streets, when the natives finally cop on to what's happening with the "New Irish".