Soldiers’ leader and minister clash over increase in troop numbers

THE leader of the soldiers’ organisation yesterday called for a substantial increase in troop numbers.

PDFORRA president Willie Webb said a review was needed and the numbers should be increased from 10,500 to 11,500.

He said additional overseas commitments and dwindling numbers in brigade areas were putting growing pressures on personnel doing their duties to the best of their ability.

“There comes a time when this has to stop. Somebody must call halt and that time is now. We need an increase in the numbers now, in order to continue to carry out the tasks allotted to us,” Mr Webb stated.

Defence Minister Willie O’Dea said there were no plans to increase numbers prior to 2010.

Up to 350 Irish soldiers are due to leave today for Chad in Africa, where they will be part of an EU force helping to relieve hardship endured by people there.

Mr Webb said the mission would bring challenges far removed from the kind of supports Irish troops had grown accustomed to on EU missions.

“The medical risks on such a mission are not just operational, but relate to disease, food, behaviour, climate, and all of these potential risks create an imperative in regard to the highest standard medical support being immediately available to our troops on the ground,” he went on.

Chief of Staff Dermot Earley told the conference the Army Rangers may also be deployed to Chad. “They are in detailed preparations and should the government and Dáil Éireann authorise a troop contribution, it is possible they will be the first troops from Ireland working on the ground there.”

Lieut General Earley said demands for overseas operations had never been greater, with 414 Irish soldiers currently serving in UN, EU and NATO operations.