A former senior Nato commander and naval expert has told Westminster politicians that a united Ireland would pose a strategic threat.
The loss of the protection afforded by the North would deepen the threat to Britain from Russia and China, Rear Admiral Chris Parry told MPs and members of the House of Lords in a briefing on Wednesday.
Mr Parry, a Falklands War veteran, also said he believed Chinese warships and submarines would soon be active in Irish waters alongside the Russian vessels that had been operating there in recent years.
He told parliamentarians that Nato should counter the threat from Moscow and Beijing by holding naval exercises in Irish-controlled waters, whether Dublin agreed or not. He also urged the Republic of Ireland to back military co-operation with Nato.
“I would say to the good people of Ireland: you’ve been independent for more than 100 years. Stop blaming the Brits. We have shared interests here,” he said at the meeting in a committee room above the House of Lords on Wednesday evening.
“If anyone attacks Britain, they will attack Ireland. It is as simple as that.
Continue @ Irish Times.
Can't see it behind a paywall but it's stupid to think that UK Trident subs aren't already operating in Irish waters.
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