Claim fewer people leaving Defence Forces is disputed

Defence Forces officers’ representatives have disputed a claim by a Government minister that fewer people are leaving the service.

Paul Kehoe, minister of state with responsibility for defence, said yesterday that there was no crisis in the Defence Forces, despite the findings of a survey of members highlighting major issues around pay, conditions and morale.

As revealed by the Irish Examiner in July, the survey by University of Limerick researchers found low pay was just one of a number of issues of concern at all ranks among the 800 men and women who took part.