Call to halt depletion of Defence Forces

Retired Colonel Dorcha Lee has urged the Government to bring the Defence Forces up to strength

The next government must draw up a six-point plan to reinvigorate the ever-depleting Defence Forces, which are now at their lowest strength for more than 50 years, a former senior army officer has urged.

Both RACO, the association which represents officers, and PDForra, which represents enlisted personnel, say the minimal strength should be 10,500. It is currently at 8,485.