Ben Tonra @Bentonra Twitter profile

Last Seen Profiles

@NJLadiesHoops

@bronzeagestalin

@ppeluss

@smomalley

@Sari75946500

@altyal_khwlan

@WinnersWhiners

@emilyviana955

@JGSDF_YTS_X7

@LizSeib

@Chaitanya1308

@THSSCA

@TheConsciousLee

@JimScalpert

@H_1time

@miaknorman10

@minnie_ive

@CallensChristin

@shinyrock_fan

@_aaliyahjordan

@Jessewelle

@NatalieMac84

@sullivanscreens

@kimtcadwell

@keelgaa

@dolly2shiesty

@HubRhiwSyrDafy1

@Bzochappell

@290609Robert

@teoami

@Sassychickie

@EliasSiligato

@haroldrtweets

@haru_oh

@Alfonso98720786

@AdamBien

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

5 years

This photo being used by an especially nasty individual to make an anti immigration argument. I’d like to reclaim it as a celebration of a modern confident Ireland sharing its language and culture with the world at home. bualadh bos!

18

67

677

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

4 years

Profoundly honoured and frankly thrilled to have been elected as a Member of the Royal Irish Academy. Founded in 1785 the Academy is devoted to the promotion of scholarship and learning across the sciences and humanities. Thank you to @RIAdawson members.

121

17

515

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

4 years

@jaketapper You’re ten days behind - with no adequate testing, no effective public health infrastructure, millions of uninsured and underinsured, uncoordinated and sometimes contradictory social distancing policy and a political leadership which is....? Not a good place to be.

23

59

474

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

4 years

Bed-wettingly funny on distance learning... no idea if this is ‘real’ or its provenance. Enjoy

21

117

353

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

16 days

“The larger reality is that a second Trump term would be likely to spell the end of the West as an organising idea on the world stage.” 💯

Europe should brace itself for Trump

Unlike in 2016, this time the former president has a coherent plan for governing

www.irishtimes.com

7

100

329

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

4 years

Academic twitter: Finding it increasingly difficult to focus in depth on anything ... writing, reading etc. Just about holding it together on the teaching front but seriously hard to valorise things that even a couple of weeks ago were a huge priority. Anyone else cracked it?

66

16

326

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

5 years

“So once again, as in 1690, English and European governments are shaping up to use the island of Ireland as an ideological battleground. And possibly, as in 1690, apart from occasional forays, they will leave the locals to live with the consequences for generations to come.”

25

58

292

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

6 months

This is Ireland… she and an American woman circled the alleged assailant standing between him and public to await Gardai. Legendary Dublin woman.

Noel Rock

@NoelRock

6 months

By the way, amidst all else, what a hero Siobhan Kearney is. Important on nights like tonight to remember Dublin is fundamentally comprised of good people like her 👏🏻

11

167

2K

10

31

266

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

9 months

Chuffed beyond measure. Thank you @UACES … it takes a community such as this to to raise a scholar.

UACES

@UACES

9 months

This year, we congratulate Prof Ben Tonra @Bentonra for being awarded the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award in European Studies. Read what colleagues say about his achievements:

3

5

36

44

27

256

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

5 months

@ExCllrRedmond He’s not in jail for disagreeing or having opinions. He’s in jail for contempt of court. Let him abide by the same laws as everyone else and he’s free as a bird.

7

1

241

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

7 months

Really close to losing it with people - who *do* know better - that appear to be arguing that rape, and the beheading of children needs to be politically, historically, and/or culturally 'contextualised' - never mind celebrated as 'resistance'.

41

24

214

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

4 years

Good call “...holders of private health insurance will receive no special privileges for hospital admissions during the crisis...the health service will operate essentially as a “one-tier” system, with admission to hospital decided solely on clinical need”

Coronavirus: Ban on all non-essential travel, commercial, social activity mooted

Cabinet to discuss ban on commercial, social activity and on all non-essential travel

www.irishtimes.com

11

35

185

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

6 months

Considering depth of feelings involved… impressed that @MichealMartinTD engaged in such depth. Tough room. That is diplomacy, as opposed to performative posturing.

ddp

@theddp

6 months

I think MM is playing a blinder as Foreign Affairs minister. Are you here to support us?’: Tension and visceral anger inside an Israeli meeting room but Micheál Martin doesn’t flinch |

21

15

139

20

15

166

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

7 months

I also felt that this letter was necessary and so co-signed it.

Edward Burke

@Edward__Burke

7 months

Below is a letter in the @IrishTimes from a group of academics in Ireland - including myself - opposing a call for an Irish boycott of all Israeli universities. It focuses both on what was said (and not said) in the pro-boycott letter of 4 November.

148

77

478

26

21

163

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

5 years

Notwithstanding the approaching disaster of no-deal Brexit - it’s my calculation that Ireland is well advised to maintain current policy. Better to face no-deal with full EU26 support (even into medium term) than to see ourselves torn between UK and EU in years of bilateral talks

11

25

151

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

1 year

Agence France-Presse — Getty Images 🇬🇪

1

35

148

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

2 months

I know we academics curate our bookcase backdrops for zoom and other social media appearances, but I think this colleague wins some sort of prize?! 😂 Suggestions…?

36

6

147

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

11 months

“The darkest places in hell are reserved for those who maintain their neutrality in times of moral crisis.” Dante

38

20

140

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

1 year

This is Ireland’s support for Ukraine… not to be confused with the morally vacuous and strategically incoherent letter published by a handful of public reps today.

Raili Lahnalampi

@RLahnalampi

1 year

#Dublin now. At legendary GPO building #WeStandWithUlraine

15

8

53

11

14

145

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

5 years

@aisghair Assault is not politics. It’s violence.

13

3

115

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

6 months

SF captures much of the electorate that in most other jurisdictions would be aligning with far right parties. Similarly, neither FF nor FG flirt with a far-right constituency in the way that other centre/centre right parties in Europe have. We should be very, very thankful.

Colin Harvey

@cjhumanrights

6 months

Solidarity with @MaryLouMcDonald Hate will not prevail.

108

27

303

31

14

135

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

1 month

Extraordinary position for a state with less than zero credibility on defence actively to seek to frustrate efforts of others to strengthen EU member states' defence. The self-satisfied hubris involved is breath-taking. At the same time seeking to chair EU Military Committee?!?

Kevin Hjortshøj O'Rourke

@kevinhorourke

1 month

Free riding is one thing. Seeking to prevent collective action to keep the continent safe, with Trump looming, is another. And the notion that joint borrowing would be bad for Eurozone financial stability is...original...

18

56

193

16

45

136

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

11 months

She is by far the bigger person here.

Paul Cunningham

@RTENewsPaulC

11 months

The consultative forum chair Louise Richardson says she has been an admirer of President Higgins for years. Regarding his critical remarks, she said they weee throw away, he has apologised fully and gracefully. The issue is over. @rtenews

19

22

82

29

17

132

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

4 years

“(British) attacks about “little Ireland’s ridiculous leaders” and the “naive”, “dishonest” approach they took to negotiations comes not from a place of confidence but insecurity about what lies in store for Brexit Britain”. via @IrishTimes

Britain is uncomfortable because Ireland has the upper hand for the first time

Finn McRedmond: UK cannot see the State as a nation realising its voice on the international stage

www.irishtimes.com

9

54

129

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

9 months

Made it… my first Ireland England match. Luckily, I’ve got my son to explain it all to me.

6

0

131

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

5 years

@DanRather This is US Ambassador’s residence, set in isolated parkland near Dublin city centre. Not good enough?

3

12

124

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

1 year

Ireland’s neutrality debate is set to heat up in a radically new defence landscape

The Republic relies on its EU and Nato neighbours whose own security situations have deteriorated since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

www.irishtimes.com

24

31

128

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

8 months

With this level of self delusion/sophistry from a senior Irish government minister with national security responsibilities, is it any wonder that our debates on defence/security are poorly grounded?

Ireland 'no soft touch' on drugs, says minister - BBC News

A seventh person has been arrested after the largest drug seizure in the history of the Irish state.

www.bbc.com

11

30

129

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

5 months

Does every Irish family have one of these.. brought out for Christmas?

19

4

128

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

4 years

Profoundly depressing is some of the conversation on commemoration of RIC etc. Plenty of exclusionary nationalism and historical ignorance in evidence. We’ve come a long way but some considerable distance yet to travel. ‘Legacy’ issues cut in all directions and over much time.

19

14

127

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

6 months

Not a word of congratulation for our own diplomats?! Have I missed it? I get she wouldn’t credit minister/government… but the diplomats and officials working flat out in HQ, embassies and on the ground?

Sinn Féin

@sinnfeinireland

6 months

Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald welcomes release of Emily Hand @MaryLouMcDonald

159

81

345

17

20

124

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

4 years

Where I would dearly love to be this weekend but won’t. #northmayo

8

4

125

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

2 months

Always salutary to talk with a European researcher about Irish security and defence policy… watching their demeanour change from open curiosity, to bewilderment and finally to abject incredulity.

15

125

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

5 months

RAF securing Irish skies… now Royal Navy patrolling Irish waters even if at the request of 🇮🇪 Still operating in absence of a National Security Strategy, promised 3 or 4 years ago now and which was to have been published imminently last year.

Don Lavery

@donlav

5 months

A joke. This is what our Government has done to @defenceforces No shame @MichealMartinTD @LeoVaradkar

14

24

122

18

30

112

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

1 year

@anandMenon1 😂😂😂 Our Taoiseach with Indian ancestry may be able to assist. Just give us a shout. 😎😅 We have *loads* of partition experience too. Love to share!

3

5

106

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

8 months

Unconscionable and illegal.

The Cradle

@TheCradleMedia

8 months

Israel Defense Minister Yoav Gallant: "I have ordered a complete siege on the Gaza Strip. There will be no electricity, no food, no fuel, everything is closed. We are fighting human animals and we will act accordingly."

2K

3K

18

10

106

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

2 months

Any Irish MEPs anxious?

Anne Applebaum

@anneapplebaum

2 months

Members of the European parliament were taking money to make speeches on behalf of Russia, says Belgian PM. No names yet

30

259

730

17

15

107

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

1 year

Supporting the 'right' of Ukraine to defend itself while opposing giving them the means to do so is the (im)moral equivalent of sending 'thoughts and prayers'.

Eoin Ó Catháin

@EoinKeane101

1 year

Deir an grúpa @pb4p nach gcuireann siad fáilte roimh an Uachtarán Biden, luaitear an maoiniú a cuirtear ar fáil d’arm Iosrael agus don Araib Shádach; beidh an grúpa i mbun agóide amárach ag a 5 i gcoinne na cuairte

5

0

6

11

13

100

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

8 months

Don't let the Government get away without pursuing international justice. Let your TD / Senator know you support Ukraine and disagree with those that deny assistance to Ukraine's defence and of its citizens. Your voice as a citizen matters.

Peace and Neutrality Alliance (Ireland)

@PANAIreland

8 months

Don't let the Government get away with ending neutrality. Let your TD / Senator know you support restoring #neutrality and disagree with the decision to train Ukrainian soldiers to kill Russians. Your voice as a citizen matters.

53

22

98

25

22

96

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

11 months

If the President wants to engage actively in political debate -then he should be actively held to account for what he says. He can’t dive into political controversy and then pretend to rise above the ensuing fall out. There can’t be ‘cakeism’ at the Aras.

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

11 months

Measured and substantive response to the ill-informed, mendacious and ‘throw away’ comments of President Higgins.

8

5

37

30

15

97

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

6 months

A long time coming: a new National Security Authority will be responsible for issuing security clearances for officials and the protection of EU classified information. Will finally allow Irish researchers to join EU-funded security projects on equal basis with other EU partners

3

22

96

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

5 years

No deal Brexit is a British choice, pure and simple.

BBC Politics

@BBCPolitics

5 years

Irish Deputy Prime Minister Simon Coveney on a no deal #Brexit : “If a new British prime minister chooses to take Britain in that direction then it will happen. This is a British choice… We have a deal” #Marr

129

456

2K

2

18

91

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

4 years

I like the fact that @ucddublin President has reminded us of our ‘out of hours’ policy on responding to emails - they are not expected to be read or responded to outside normal working hours. He sent his email at 19:13 hours and I read it at 21:42. I will try to do better.

1

3

95

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

4 years

Reading diarmaid macculloch’s History of Christianity, surprised to learn that it was the early ‘Irish’ church that developed and spread to the rest of western Christendom the idea of penitential tariffs. Ireland’s earliest export was guilt! 😂 PS the book is a thumping good read

10

15

93

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

5 months

So proud of @ucdpolitics ! Unilaterally increasing our PhD scholarships for next academic year to €25k annually *and* topping up both @ucddublin Ad Astra and @IrishResearch PhD awards to that €25k mark. Real leadership and innovation! Committed to our PhD students.

4

10

93

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

1 month

A malignant trope visible in Ireland is also “to recast our choice as one between “peace” (which we’d attain by refraining from aiding Ukraine) and “war” (which we’re facilitating with Ukraine aid)….” In fact, denying military aid makes Russian attacks more likely & successful

27

12

91

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

7 months

Actual head of EU foreign policy @JosepBorrellF saying much the same as Ireland and others. @vonderleyen is the one that is out of step.

Naomi O'Leary

@NaomiOhReally

7 months

The head of the European Parliament defence Committee, @NathalieLoiseau has critised Ursula von der Leyen's Israel trip. "I do not understand what the President of the Commission has to do with the foreign policy of 🇪🇺 , for which she is not responsible."

19

250

826

3

35

87

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

5 months

New year’s moon Donegal… God bless us all for 2024

2

4

90

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

9 months

Commission on the Defence Forces proposed three options of force development from 1 (status quo) to 3 (proportional to other EU states) Are we now pursuing a fourth option of -1 (collapse)?

ARCO Ireland

@ARCOIreland

9 months

RACO spokesperson via @thejournal_ie : “The reasons are well known; failure to implement safe and fair working conditions, failure to pay adequate allowances for hours worked, and an inability to match policy with resources.” (via @thejournal_ie )

3

17

43

10

18

89

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

1 year

Ireland does not take its security seriously…again. “Failure to address drone disruption issues at Dublin Airport ‘deeply alarming”

Failure to address drone disruption issues at Dublin Airport ‘deeply alarming’

Minister says solution to recurring issue not as simple as appointing someone with ‘a laser gun and a laptop’

www.irishtimes.com

7

23

87

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

5 months

@ExCllrRedmond Because his beliefs don’t trump the civil law.

5

0

88

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

4 years

The Irish Times view on Brexit day: Britain’s great leap backwards via @IrishTimes “No state in the modern era has committed such a senseless act of self-harm.”

The Irish Times view on Brexit day: Britain’s great leap backwards

For Ireland, the EU and millions of British citizens, the UK’s departure from the EU will be a profoundly sad moment

www.irishtimes.com

1

51

83

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

5 years

Did you know @defenceforces reservists are unpaid, precluded from serving overseas and if called up have no job security from their civilian employer? At the same time DF is critically short of their skills in medical, ICT, mechanical & engineering. Easy fix if there was a will.

7

17

83

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

1 month

Extraordinary… Taoiseach presents Russia’s attack on Ukraine and its existential threat to European security as just another policy priority alongside EU digital transition et al… and lectures ‘EU’ on what more it might do short of defence bonds. 🤯

Tony Connelly

@tconnellyRTE

1 month

Taoiseach @SimonHarrisTD on his first EU summit - key points: * supporting sanctions against Iran + he's had talks in the margins with some leaders about recognising Palestinian statehood

7

8

30

11

23

85

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

8 months

Underlines how the Commissioner not only issued a false statement, without authority or consultation, but that he compromised the political and strategic credibility of the Union at a moment of acute international crisis. Sanction and dismissal are required.

Shona Murray

@ShonaMurray_

8 months

President of European Council @eucopresident received a call from UN SecGen Guterres concerned about the impact of Tweet of Hungarian Commissioner Varhelyi. In it Michel ‘reassured UNSG that the unilateral decision on the suspension and review of development aid to Palestinian

3

25

56

3

10

80

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

21 days

A small European state which doesn’t take its own security and defence seriously … and which - as a direct result - threatens the security of its neighbours and partners. 👇🪡🧵

Robert Gilbey

@RobGilbey

22 days

The Taoiseach is wrong Neutrality is at risk Not because of the Triple Lock policy, but because of Ireland's incapacity to meet the obligations of neutrality through force of arms Neutrality as a concept is redundant in the contemporary climate anyway.

21

23

178

16

18

80

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

4 years

@KittyHollandIT ... but not for the actual sentiments expressed?

0

1

73

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

4 months

NATO grounded not in text, not even in the integrated command structure. It’s grounded in the certain knowledge of ‘all for one and one for all’. Trump is taking a sledge hammer to the Alliance’s credibility. Putin’s dream candidate.

Acyn

@Acyn

4 months

The crowd looks enthused as Trump brags about telling NATO allies that he would not defend them if Russia attacked

685

924

3K

10

18

80

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

4 years

Looking dreadful. Max UK divergence from EU will entail high and expensive trade barriers to 🇮🇪 🇬🇧 trade and - with the protocol - will hit NI-GB trade with heavy admin checks. Thankfully, protocol means open island border. Otherwise it would have been catastrophe on this island.

RTÉ News

@rtenews

4 years

The EU's chief #Brexit negotiator has issued a veiled warning to the UK that progress on the free trade negotiations will be conditional on London preparing for checks on goods going to Northern Ireland from Britain. |

3

28

43

8

34

73

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

8 months

One of the high points in my academic year is always my lecture/seminar to the @defenceforces Joint Command School - attentive, informed and engaged audience asking some of the toughest questions.

2

12

80

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

3 months

Wonderful to see @BrigidLaffan receive @RIAdawson highest academic accolade … the 2024 Gold Medal … for her ongoing contribution to scholarship in humanities and social sciences. Richly deserved.

6

11

80

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

8 months

After a late flight and early gym I’m at work having forgotten to pack trousers… it’ll be gym shorts in lecture and meetings @ucddublin I’m think that I shouldn’t offer explanation since if I draw attention to it, as in “Sorry I forgot my trousers” that will make it worse, no?

20

3

78

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

4 years

The RIC/DMP controversy has exemplified a view surrounding 1916 etc that it was about throwing ‘Brits’ out. Implication is that local Irish lackeys are to be pitied, ignored or perhaps forgiven. Suggests also that UI is designed to finish the job. Not a great place to start folks

11

17

75

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

9 months

Ever so slightly ironic when one can reasonably argue that that the State’s naval service is on the verge of collapse - with just two operational vessels from a fleet of eight.

Department of Defence

@IRLDeptDefence

9 months

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin ⁦ @MichealMartinTD ⁩ welcomes Hon. Secretary of US Navy, Carlos del Toro ⁦ @SECNAV ⁩ at Iveagh House as US congressional delegation visits Ireland. 🇮🇪🇺🇸

12

10

29

7

77

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

4 years

Brilliant idea in our housing estate: the residents' association has arranged a St Patrick's Day colouring competition: kids display their work in their front windows and someone will take a walk around the estate and small prize(s) will be awarded. Clever eh?

1

8

76

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

4 years

Revising slides for @ucdpolitics seminar tomorrow and adjusting for Brexit - places UK alongside Albania AFAICT in map of European security/pol-econ institutions. Got that right?

13

8

74

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

6 months

@mattcarthy Triple lock has precisely nothing to do with neutrality. If anything, it’s a reassertion of Irish sovereignty.

1

10

72

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

5 years

Penny has yet to drop in London 1) Ireland *acutely* aware of adverse impact of no deal, 2) no deal best managed now than years hence 3) EU27 will not ‘facilitate’ no deal but will mitigate on this island 4) UK red lines define backstop 5) 🇮🇪 won’t be ‘bused’ by 🇪🇺

1

25

73

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

1 year

Pretty much spot on article. Of course not being a member of a mutual security alliance like NATO is *nobody* else’s definition of ‘neutrality’. It’s a curious and uniquely Irish definition which is also conflated with being a ‘good’ international citizen

Ireland’s neutrality policy is a permanent hold-my-beer posture

The policy lacks honesty and means we leave it to others to defend western values

www.irishtimes.com

9

13

73

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

4 years

Two addenda 1) Johnson - just like May - setting hard red lines for domestic political consumption which could strangle negotiations and 2) how glad are we now that we didn't 'trust' the UK the deliver on a close, friction-free deal and sort out the border as part of these talks!

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

4 years

Looking dreadful. Max UK divergence from EU will entail high and expensive trade barriers to 🇮🇪 🇬🇧 trade and - with the protocol - will hit NI-GB trade with heavy admin checks. Thankfully, protocol means open island border. Otherwise it would have been catastrophe on this island.

8

34

73

6

24

69

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

5 years

I arrive in the UK and within the hour we have a Brexit deal. I’m talking causation kids, not correlation! 😂😂😂

8

1

71

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

4 years

Some really mad garbage in bowels of social media regarding role of @defenceforces . They are preparing plans for an 'aid to the civil power' role - exactly what they always do in the event of major national emergencies of fire, flood and now pandemic #StrengthenTheNation #CopOn

3

9

70

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

22 days

Another small European country taking its defence and security seriously.

Hans Tino Hansen

@HthHans

22 days

Danish Defence agreement - Part 2 agreed: 48bn DKK (6.44bn EUR) to upgrade 1st Bde Heavy bde 25bn DKK (3.35bn EUR) for ground-based long and short range missile air defence 16bn DKK (2.15bn EUR) for up to 7,500 doing national service per year.

4

20

86

6

10

71

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

5 years

My first visit to the mother of all think tanks ;-)

7

1

69

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

5 years

@shashj Pretending there is no problem is irresponsible. Macron may be indelicate in his timing - but the substance of the problem is very, very real.

1

12

66

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

2 months

Great article - and an important one. “As the EU prepares for war, Ireland sticks its head in the sand”

Pat Leahy: As the EU prepares for war, Ireland sticks its head in the sand

In fairness to us, we really have some neck. There is literally no end to our chutzpah

www.irishtimes.com

25

19

70

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

5 years

Delighted to announce that @ucddublin IBIS will be working with the Constitution Unit @ucl and partners in Dublin & Belfast on a major new study on how a referendum on the constitutional status of Northern Ireland might be designed and conducted. Details:.

4

20

69

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

5 years

It’s not just political theatre you know... what @BorisJohnson and now HMG is doing seriously threatens peace and security on this island. If he knows that, it’s very grave. If he doesn’t, it betrays an ignorance bordering on the pathological.

1

22

68

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

4 years

Doesn’t make a lot of sense... the disruption and settling in of an entirely new cabinet and associated team for a 12 week term of office? To what end? There is govt in place and a Dail to direct them if it disagrees with policy.

Paul Cunningham

@RTENewsPaulC

4 years

The @greenparty_ie has called for government formation talks to be suspended and a “national government” to be formed to tackle the Covid-19 @rtenews

11

21

62

11

10

70

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

11 months

Fascinating poll on Irish attitudes towards security and defence: more spending, more cooperation but ‘no’ to a mutual security guarantee. A perfectly reasonable position but one which isn’t properly described as ‘neutrality’.

2

12

69

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

4 years

I’ve no desire to ‘diss’ a hard pressed bureau chief, but the @TheAtlantic article disseminated by @anneapplebaum should prompt media to hire expert local freelancers when surprising things happen in exotic (!) places. My take on #GE2020 and a ‘nationalist moment’.

LSE Blogs

@LSEblogs

4 years

There is no ‘anti-English’ sentiment in Ireland in the wake of Brexit

1

20

28

5

26

67

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

11 months

“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.” Desmond Tutu

22

18

66

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

1 year

Very neat explainer on current defence/security malaise in Ireland targeted at international audiences. Setting aside an unfortunate reference to ‘the Emerald Isle’ (!) it’s a solid review. @WarOnTheRocks

No Time to Hide: The Future of Irish Defense and Security - War on the Rocks

As the Irish say, things are “banjaxed”. In the last year, the Emerald Isle has shown that it is incapable of tracking and deterring Russian naval

warontherocks.com

4

23

68

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

5 months

Domestic terrorism...

Larry Donnelly

@LarryPDonnelly

5 months

This is absolutely horrendous. Fire at Galway hotel due to host 70 asylum seekers

108

13

107

23

8

68

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

5 years

Oh bless you future UK trade negotiators. 😂😇🇬🇧🇪🇺

4

10

68

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

4 years

“Ireland could offer to host EU or Nato jets for “quick response” perhaps from France or Germany in a similar arrangement followed by the Baltic states” via @IrishTimes

Russia to keep investigating ‘gap’ off Irish coast, says ex-Nato commander

Putin trying to project strength with bomber flights off Ireland, claims retired US admiral

www.irishtimes.com

6

22

65

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

5 years

‘There is a strong suspicion in Europe that Brexit is, in fact, an insatiable emotion, rather than a rational policy, and that technical concessions by the EU would achieve nothing except create a platform for another UK demand.'

John Bruton: 'Tory contenders need to fully understand reasons why the backstop must be in place'

The backstop is not just about the Border. It is not a technical matter. It is not just about what happens at 200 crossing points.

www.independent.ie

9

37

66

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

5 years

This is a profound reversal of repeated British commitments dating back to the very first days of Brexit talks. Dimishes - if not eliminates - trust in HMG negotiations and goodwill. Not even pretending to try and avoid hard border, simply casting about notions to mitigate same.

RTÉ News

@rtenews

5 years

The UK has proposed the creation of a string of customs posts along both sides of the Irish border as part of its effort to replace the #brexit backstop, RTÉ News understands. @tconnellyRTE reports |

138

396

559

1

32

63

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

1 year

It is only the provision of lethal military assistance from the EU and NATO which is defending Ukraine from the onslaught of Russian missile strikes. It also makes a final Ukrainian victory possible. Freedom isn’t free, and peace isn’t just the absence of war.

Ulrike Franke

@RikeFranke

1 year

Good overview of the military support packages European leaders have promised Zelensky during his Europe tour. A list of the new weapons Zelensky secured for Ukraine on Europe trip - The Washington Post

0

13

34

3

19

65

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

3 months

When St Peter swings open those pearly gates to greet @Michael_O_Regan they will reveal a vista of Kerry. RIP.

2

3

64

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

5 years

Ireland, you’ve come a long way baby. Thinking about the rotational velocity of certain political campaigners, clerics and politicians I recall from the 1980s.

Paschal Donohoe

@Paschald

5 years

Great to join all my colleagues in the Irish public & civil service, including @IRLDeptPER , @IRLDeptFinance , @GardaTraffic & @defenceforces . Representing and serving a diverse, modern and inclusive Ireland 🇮🇪. #DublinPride2019 #Pride2019

4

10

126

5

8

62

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

4 years

Thanks to the many colleagues who responded in concert and so strongly. Thanks too to those that listened *and* heard. #UCDCommunity “UCD Abandons Restrictive Academic Freedom Policy Following Staff Backlash”

2

12

64

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

3 months

Honoured to have been invited.

IACES

@IACESInfo

3 months

We’re proud to announce that Ireland’s leading scholar on 🇪🇺&🇮🇪 foreign, security & defence policy will deliver the 2024 Annual Lecture: Prof @bentonra . Join us @RIAdawson on 13 March! @CardiffPolitics @ucdpolitics @AzureForum @iiea @IrelandForeign

3

14

42

6

14

65

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

8 months

How close was that operation to failure as a result of resourcing limitations? €157m cocaine interception off Cork coast was threatened by shortages including lack of helicopters

Cocaine interception off Cork coast was threatened by shortages including lack of helicopters

Air ambulance had to be pressed into duty due to shortage of available aircraft to assist mission

www.irishtimes.com

2

18

62

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

1 year

Such a suggestion - if made by those public representatives - betrays a deep and profound contempt for the men and women of @defenceforces and @gardainfo by implying that they would act illegally to betray their respective oaths.

RoyK

@roy_kinsella

1 year

PBP responding to a question regarding their allegation that The Defence Forces & Garda would mount a coup under instruction from unidentified ‘elitists’ to remove a left government; “It’s a possibility” The mind boggles..

11

2

48

6

10

64

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

5 months

Santa’s arrived early for me… a very special gift of over 120 exam scripts for @ucdpolitics Irish Foreign Policy module… Ho, Ho, Ho 🎅🎄

11

0

63

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

5 years

@ShippersUnbound That ‘olive branch’ has been the offer since day one. Have they not been listening or is this just the start of a Johnson climb-down from the ERG high horse? Get facts straight at least.

0

3

58

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

8 months

Can this be added to the *long* list of visible, tangible and serious security threats faced by this State - that are crying out for a systemic response from Government in the form of a National Security Strategy and agencies resourced and directed to meeting them?

Tony Connelly

@tconnellyRTE

8 months

TikTok shuts disinformation network targeting Ireland via @RTENews

3

20

49

4

17

62

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

5 years

@BBCNewsnight @nicholaswatt She has the perfect outfit for @EUCouncil

2

3

58

Ben Tonra

@Bentonra

5 years

We are delighted @ucddublin IBIS to partnering here: Major new project on Irish unification referendums | The Constitution Unit - UCL - London's Global University

5

27

56