Troops petition Coveney not to dismiss them

For the first time in its history, the organisation which represents lower ranks in the Defence Forces has taken the unusual step of delivering a petition to the minister for defence over a decision to dismiss personnel in their 40s from the services.

Permanent Defence Forces Other Ranks Representative Association (PDFORRA) said hundreds face dismissal from the army, navy and air corps because they will no longer be able to serve when their are in their early 40s. Sergeants and higher ranks are entitled to serve until they are 50, but different contracts were drawn up in 1994 for privates and corporals.

They were only given a 21-year service contract. “Typically a person would join up when they’re around 19 or 20, so their service would be up when they were around 40,” general secretary Gerry Rooney said.

He said there should be no reason why the Defence Forces should leave people go who are still fit and highly trained. “Every year these people have to take health and fitness tests and if they pass them when they are in their 40s they should be kept on.”

His organisation has delivered a 1,300-signature petition to the new Defence Minister Simon Coveney urging him to extend the contracts.

Typically around 75 members of the Defence Forces will be dismissed every year if their contracts are not extended.

“Some personnel serving as privates and corporals, who enlisted in 1994 and afterwards, are now facing the prospect of dismissal and unemployment, based on a contract which must be revisited and revised, so that those affected can serve to 50 years of age.

“PDFORRA has now initiated its first-ever petition involving its members on this vitally important issue from those directly affected and their families,” Mr Rooney said.

He said Mr Coveney could save hundreds of jobs and ease the potential burden on the families involved. “We are not looking for any major concession; we simply want people who are fit and willing to serve the Defence Forces for a further period to be afforded this opportunity.”

He maintains that if PDFORRA’s demands are met it will actually save the Government money. “Dismissing these people makes no sense whatever. Their skills and experience are needed and it will cost a large sum to recruit and train replacement personnel to a similar standard,” Mr Rooney said.