Soldiers, sailors and aircrews lost a combined 146,000 days annual leave in the last five years, primarily because reduced numbers in the Defence Forces meant they had to plug gaps.

An official complaint has been made to the Health & Safety Authority (HSA) about the dire conditions soldiers guarding Portlaoise Prison have to endure.

Minister of state Paul Keogh has announced measures which he hopes will stem an exodus of personnel from the Defence Forces.

More than 2,900 members of the Defence Forces took early retirement in the last five years — primarily due to poor pay and conditions — which has led to a significant loss of experience.

More than 2,900 members of the Defence Forces took early retirement in the last five years — primarily due to poor pay and conditions — which has led to a significant loss of experience.