IN answer to Malcolm Pittock’s latest letter, We shouldn’t spend anything on defence (June 25).

Mr Pittock once again fails to appreciate that the only reason he is free to spout his manic views through these columns is because the United Kingdom “did” in the past "and still does" spend money on defence.

He seems to think that the country is not under threat from “any state”.

Mr Pittock, the chemical weapons attack in Salisbury by Russia was only carried out because they (the Russians) perceived the UK to be a soft target, that has an ineffectual government with a weak Prime Minister, they are also further encouraged by the fact that the UK is not spending anything like enough money on defence.

Hardly a day goes by without Russian war planes or war ships repeatedly making concerted efforts to violate UK airspace and territorial waters.

If it were not for the Royal Air force and the Navy, you’d have the Russian navy sailing up the Thames and its air force overflying the country with impunity.

But if he thinks Ireland is safe as he states in his letter, then he has confirmed to me and many others that he has now become a permanent resident of Cloud Cuckooland.

On several occasions in the recent past, Mr Pittock, the Royal Air force has had to scramble its aircraft to intercept Russian aircraft attempting to encroach into Irish airspace

Both past and present governments have failed dismally with regards to spending adequately on defence.

But I would say "that if means in order exceed the 2% GDP figure on defence spending, then so be it, other services will have to be cut, such as for example; spending on overseas aide and benefits for people who can’t be bothered to go out and work for a living".

The first (and perhaps only) priority of any government is the defence of the nation from external (or internal) coercion, and of course, law and order.

All other considerations (including Mr Pittock's precious NHS and generous system of benefits) come in at a very, very distant second.

Mr Pittock, it doesn’t matter a jot how good the health system is, or how good and generous the benefit services are.

If you can’t defend what you’ve got, they’re not worth anything and no amount of money you can throw at them will save them.

Stuart A Chapman

Co Kerry

Ireland