Naval crews in Mediterranean in battle for allowance

Organisations representing officers and enlisted men in the Naval Service have criticised the lengthy delay in awarding what they term as a rightful allowance to crews working on the humanitarian rescue mission in the Mediterranean Sea.

Department of Defence officials have refused to give the seamen an “armed overseas” allowance, even though the ships are armed with guns and some of the crews are carrying standard-issue Steyr rifles, as can be seen in this picture, taken just a couple of days ago, on LÉ Róisín.

A picture taken on board the LÉ Róisín during Operation Pontus.