Boost to naval service ranks

After years of having insufficient organisational strength, a major push is on to bolster the ranks of the naval service’s reserves — the only section of the Defence Forces which will see a significant increase in numbers in coming years.

A recruitment drive is now under way under the terms of the recent White Paper on Defence, which recognised the importance of the reserves amid Ireland’s growing national and international maritime responsibilities.

At present, the current strength of the reserves is 144. This is made up of 19 officers, 43 non-commissioned officers, and 82 enlisted men. However, plans are in place to more than double this to 296 personnel.