Defence forces at critically low levels - Carthy

The "critically low numbers" within the Defence Forces are getting worse under the current government, claims a local TD.

Deputy Matt Carthy made the comments in light of reports in a national paper that highlighted the large numbers leaving the Defence Forces.

The Sinn Féin spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Defence noted that this was happening against a background of government politicians voicing opinions on Ireland’s neutrality and independent foreign policy.

The answer, Deputy Carthy said, is for government to heed and address the concerns that have been outlined by the Defence Forces representative organisations.

"The report in the Irish Examiner that one-tenth of frontline Army personnel left the organisation in the 12 months to July crystalise that the crisis within the Defence Forces is getting worse under the current government," said Deputy Carthy.

“This is but the latest evidence that our Defence Forces are at critically low levels. In 2019 the number of Defence Force personnel stood at 8,828. In May this year the number was down to a pitiful 7,764. This is critically low and is an indictment on successive Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael governments who have run the Defence Forces into the ground.

“While Ministers have been undermining Ireland’s neutrality and independent Foreign policy they have been also overseeing the decimation of our ability to defend ourselves. This is unfair on the hard-working men and women of the Defence Forces who simply want to serve their country with decent working conditions and with the resources necessary to do their job."

He said that Sinn Féin welcomed the Report of the Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces but insist progress on its implementation has been "too slow and limited".

"Crucially, government are failing to address the retention and recruitment crisis. In particular, the delay in implementing the Working Time Directive is a glaring factor in encouraging new recruits and convincing existing personnel that government are serious about addressing their concerns.

“Representative Organisations of Defence Forces members have clearly outlined their concerns and proposals to resolve them. It is now time for government to heed and address those concerns as a matter of urgency."

He vowed that Sinn Féin are committed to addressing the concerns.

"We want to rebuild our Defence Forces so that we can protect our neutrality, defend and monitor our skies and seas, and protect ourselves from modern threats; including cyber-attacks.

"I have written to the Oireachtas Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee to request that we schedule a series of hearings on these matters over the coming weeks.”