IRELAND’S military currently stands at just 7,500 soldiers – 2,000 troops below the required strength to protect the country.
This is due to decades of under-investment coupled with poor pay and conditions.
PDFORRA, the group that represents the majority of our troops, this week held their annual conference where optimism was expressed that things are starting to change.
Improvements in pay, health care and a change in the culture has seen recruitment numbers stabilise.
However, soldiers gathering in Slieve Russell Hotel in Co Cavan this week warned that any progress could be jeopardised by a number of issues, including the failure to establish an independent complaints board.
Here, PDFORRA President Mark Keane addresses how to restore our once-great military.
IN this extraordinary year we have seen a number of innovations and measures introduced and enacted by the Minister and the Department of Defence.
Whilst we in PDFORRA warmly welcome these measures we still believe that there are a number of outstanding issues that need to be addressed as a matter of urgency.
Advances have been made in recent months and over the last number of years with regards to our members’ pay and allowances, extension of Mandatory Retirement Ages, coupled with the announcement of semi-private medical care — along with tentative steps that have been taken towards the application of the Working Time Directive.
All this follows on from years of neglect and under- investment which, naturally enough, sees the Defence Forces only beginning to play catch up with other arrears of the Public Service.
With regards to the current Defence (Amendment Bill) especially Head 26(J) of the General Scheme, our members fear that this will be used to erode their right to representation which was hard fought for and was born out of years of turmoil within the Defence Forces.
Since the establishment of PDFORRA in 1990 we have been reasonable and responsible in highlighting the ongoing issues currently affecting our members and their families.
We firmly believe that there is no place in a modern democratic society to hark back to the dark days of the past when our members were not listened to and representation was stifled.
We look forward to engaging with the Minister and his officials in seeking to amend this proposed legislation.
We are currently experiencing shortages in seeking volunteers to participate in the EU Battle Group. We have been calling on the Government to provide a fair and reasonable allowance that reflects the onerous commitment that our members will be subject to over the next two years.
Fair compensation
Presently the strength of the Battle group is about 30 to 40 per cent of its required strength.
Whilst Oglaigh na hEireann and our members have given many years of loyal and dedicated service to the State and the United Nations and have never been found wanting when called upon, we believe that it is only fair and reasonable our members are fairly compensated for their commitment as they will spend long periods away from home and their loved ones.
At our most recent annual conference PDFORRA have again called for the Government to implement the Working Time Directive in a fair and equitable manner.
This has been an issue that has been raised by our members going back over many years.
Whilst we have seen productive and constructive engagement take place with the Tanaiste Military Management in recent months, we are still not fully at the point where we can see the measures fully implemented.
We within PDFORRA firmly believe that this measure along with other such actions will go somewhat to addressing the current recruitment and retention difficulties we are facing.
This in turn will reduce the need to place restrictions on our members and their families, which routinely result in our members foregoing their annual leave entitlement.
Another issue which was again highlighted by our delegates during the course of the annual conference was with regards to the Administration of Redress of Wrongs A7 Complaints.
We believe that this is essential to upholding accountability and integrity within the Defence Forces.
The A7 Process provides a mechanism for individuals to report grievances-related issues such as discrimination, harassment or abuse of power.
'Culture of trust and accountability'
We firmly believe that a Robust A7 complaint system contributes to a culture of trust and accountability, within the Defence Forces.
By holding individuals and institutions accountable for their actions, we uphold the values of integrity and respect that are foundational to Olaigh na hEireann.
We have again called on the Minister to take the courageous step and give us a properly funded external independent investigations office and this should be placed on a permanent footing.
There can be no place where we return to a system where the Military investigates the Military.
Whilst some of these innovations that I have mentioned at the outset of the article are very welcome, there still remains a great deal of work to be undertaken if we are to return from the cliff edge and make the Defence Forces a career choice for the young men and women of this country.
We within PDFORRA will endeavour to enact positive changes by engaging with all the relevant stakeholders to make Oglaigh na hEireann an employer of choice again.
By creating a supportive and inclusive environment that truly values the contribution of every individual, we can enhance recruitment and retention efforts and thus ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Defence Forces across all ranks.