Sir, - As a military historian I deplore the present prospect of the gutting of the Defence Forces' fabric, said to be accomplished or threatened by the Minister for Defence.
Even in normal times it would be appalling and retrograde in the present situation. In the present circumstances it is mind-boggling and nonsensical. How could it happen?
If the State was short of finance, as in the years after the Civil War, it might at a great stretch be considered feasible. But surely not now, when the coffers are well up, with dangers on many sides.
It is impossible for morale and for confidence in this Government - and indeed some consider it risible that the cutting of Defence Force numbers and the consequent saving of money could now be used to pay for previously agreed refurbishment of the Forces' material and equipment. And the previous commitment to do so is thrown to the wind!
One might ask in despair where are the combat-trained forces for internal security, the bastion of our nationhood and independence? Where are the troops for the NATO-associated PfP? Where are the trained and unit-organised soldiers for enlarged peacekeeping? Where are the ready-troops and transport for natural disasters, let alone gridlock, future bus strikes, floods, forest fires, and power and communication failures?
Where is the pride and morale of our Oglaigh na hEireann, and its back-up, our citizens? How could the politicians, this coalition administration, try to ruin this - for, as the film said, "a fistful of dollars'? - Yours, etc.,
P. D. O'Donnell, Glasnevin Avenue, Dublin 11.