What can be done about bomb threats in Ireland?

SPEAKER_1 (0:00)

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SPEAKER_2 (1:00)

The Hard Shoulder with Ciara Kelly and Shane Colman on News Talk with Kier.

Shane Colman (1:08)

Just in relation to events today, because obviously a lot of shock in media circles, I think a lot of shock across the country at what's happened, what's happened in relation, I mean, what happened in relation to people on flights as well, which is very scary for them. I know you're going to be talking to Declan Power in a moment on this one, to Sean Bell, who are very experienced in this area. But Declan Power said something, he was on the show with me yesterday, that really resonated with me. And I think even more so after today, we need to wise up in this country. We are going down a rabbit hole in relation to the triple lock. And we're going to tear ourselves apart in the doll over it. And there's going to be all sorts of ridiculous hyperbole and exaggeration about what that's going to mean for our neutrality and so on.

It's the wrong issue. What do we like? We need to actually focus on getting our defense right, getting a proper defense strategy, tackling this issue and focusing on the real issues.

Ciara Kelly (2:07)

I would imagine Vladimir Putin is laughing his head off at us arguing about the triple lock that gives him a veto over what we do. I would imagine he absolutely is. Is it the case that there are many people who misunderstand the meaning, what do you think of neutrality and are just stupid enough to believe that defense is actually contrary to neutrality, Shane?

Shane Colman (2:31)

Look, I think there's a bit of politicking going on here. I think there's a bit of scaremongering going on. I think there are people who genuinely feel very strongly about the triple lock. I think they're mistaken in that. But here's the question. I've asked it before and I'll ask it again after today.

Do we really want Vladimir Putin having a veto over where we send our troops for peacekeeping? I mean, after today, I would have thought that question is null and void personally.

Ciara Kelly (2:56)

I thought AO. Anoreerdon, who I heard speak earlier today on all of this, was very interesting too when he said, there are many on the left who find it difficult to be critical of Russia. He said, Labour is not among them. But I thought that was very interesting and quite revealing, Shane.

Shane Colman (3:12)

I think it is very revealing. But look, let us know what you make of it all. 87 1400 106

Ciara Kelly (3:18)

Now, staying on this topic, I am joined now by Declan Power, Security and Defence Analyst and Sean Bell, former fighter pilot, military analyst and co-host of the Red Matrix Podcast. Gentlemen, you're both very welcome to the show. Declan, I might come to you first of all. Are there, as I just asked there, people who are stupid enough to think that defence is somehow a contravention of neutrality?

Declan Power (3:40)

I'd phrase it slightly differently Ciara and good afternoon to you and Shane.

I wouldn't say stupid.

There are a lot of very smart, intelligent people in Ireland who have very erroneous ideas on defence. And that's largely because of how our state has evolved and the myths and fairy stories we have been telling ourselves. And people have developed an ideological perspective that is not supported by any facts or realities, particularly in the era we're talking about now. And you mentioned Aon O'Riordan there. And I think Aon is a good example of somebody who is an avowed member of the left, but he's a very well-informed, smart guy. I heard Aon speaking on a European Union broadcast recently, where he made a very succinct point. He said, he was talking about Palestine and Ireland's relationship to it. He said, if you feel as strong about Palestine and what's wrong about the genocide there, then you should feel equally as aggrieved and outraged and be equally as active about what's happening in Ukraine. Maybe even more so given that it's on our doorstep and what happens there has an impact on the rest of us. So I think the debate has to shift. To go back to something Shane said there as well, we've been asking the wrong questions, the wrong time for the wrong era.