The two associations which represent around 7,000 members of the army, navy and air corps have called for the reinstatement of a full-time Defence Minister due to mounting global instability and the need to reinvigorate Ireland’s military capabilities.
RACO, which represents officers, and PDForra, which represents enlisted personnel, have both called for the move as there has not been a full-time minister in 13 years. Ireland and Malta are the only countries in Europe where there is not one.
Micheál Martin is the current Defence Minister, a role he carries out alongside being Tánaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister.
RACO general secretary Lieutenant Colonel Conor King said: “In an environment of global instability, where Europe has appointed a full-time Defence Commissioner for the first time, we are a complete outlier and our approach to defence reflects poorly on the government and on Ireland as a nation.”
He said 2024 presented significant challenges for the Defence Forces.
“A major factor has been the lack of a platform for the Defence Forces to effectively voice our perspective, leaving us vulnerable to unwarranted criticism. The level of consultation throughout the recent Defence Bill process fell far below the required standard and could be viewed as reflective of a deteriorating support and respect for the Conciliation and Arbitration process from the official side,” the senior officer said.
He said 95% of his association’s members believe the Defence Forces needs a full-time minister who has the time to engage fully with the associations, interrogate the narrative being presented to government, and advocate for and defend the Defence Forces when it’s unfairly criticised for following the regulations that the minister governs.
“This shouldn't be viewed as a criticism of the current Minister, Tánaiste Micheál Martin, who's delivered many improvements to pay and conditions of service including increases to Patrol Duty Allowance, enhanced healthcare and progress on the Working Time Directive,” he said.
PDForra president Mark Keane said the Defence Forces are currently facing many critical challenges such as severe retention and recruitment issues and the ongoing need for continued investment.