PDForra conference: Defence Forces exodus leaves armed services’ strength below minimum set for effectiveness

A significant exodus of personnel from the Defence Forces has occurred this year, leaving the armed services’ strength well below a minimum set by the Government for it to be effective.

The haemorrhaging is reportedly due to symptoms of poor pay and conditions, and it could have serious implications if the border needs to be secured as a result of Brexit negotiations.

Figures obtained by the Irish Examiner show, at of the end of July, there were just over 9,000 personnel in the Defence Forces, nearly 500 short of the minimum requirement. The army is short 34 officers and 232 NCOs, while the air corps has 166 unfilled posts and the naval service requires 38 officers and 94 NCOs.

Many are leaving of their own accord, seeking better-paid jobs in the private sector, while others have resigned as the demands of military life were, reportedly, compromising family relationships.

Although recruitment is being speeded up by the Department of Defence, it is not keeping pace with the numbers leaving. Most worryingly, some of the most experienced officers and rank-and-file have quit.

PDForra general secretary Gerry Rooney said, allied to previous reorganisation measures, the current exodus could create a “chickens coming home to roost” scenario, should the border have to be secured.

The 4th (Western) Brigade, disbanded in 2012, covered some sections of the border. A number of army barracks near the border were also closed. “It was always our contention they shouldn’t have closed the barracks. It was a huge mistake,” he said.

Minister with responsibility for defence, Paul Kehoe said he was “confident” negotiations with the British government would ensure a secured border would not be required. It was one of his key priorities, he said, to have a fully-staffed Defence Forces and was working with the Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Mark Mellett to ensure the proper strength of 9,500 was achieved as soon as possible.

The minister said an intake this year of 600 general service recruits was envisaged along with further recruitments next year.

Vice Admiral Mellett said he recognised recruitment and retention as being “vitally important” and was working to address the issues and concerns raised by military personnel in a recently-published Organisational Climate Survey.

PDForra president Mark Scally said satisfaction with military life had fallen to 48% in the latest survey, compared to 64% in 2008.

Some 77% complained about being poorly paid, 16% were stressed, and 31% were anxious about work. Another 30% said they would leave the Defence Forces due to commuting distances .

Mr Scally said members also perceived a lack of justice in the Defence Forces. “We fully understand why, because we stand beside them or indeed support them in their daily struggle for justice while in work. This occurs frequently when dealing with discipline, grievances, dispute resolution, dignity and openness. This finding represents a major failing of the reform process launched over a decade ago and the problem is getting worse,” he said.

Paternity pay and flag issues on the agenda

Members of the Defence Forces are being discriminated against as they are the only public servants who cannot avail of paternity leave.

Speaking at the annual PDForra conference in Cork, general secretary Gerry Rooney said: “We are citizens in uniform and part of the public service and should be in receipt of all the benefits, especially in regard to allowances.”

He said all other public servants benefit from two weeks paternity leave and an additional allowance of €520.

“We have raised this matter with the Department of Defence and, regrettably, we have not been able to secure a just resolution.”

Meanwhile, an instruction over the ‘flag at half mast’ was also raised. In recent years, a flag is raised at half mast on the death of a serving member, only in the home station. PDForra officers said they found this new arrangement unsatisfactory and somewhat dis- respectful. They passed a motion ‘to have flags flown at half mast’ at all posts and on all naval vessels on the death of a serving member.