Defence Forces report 'must not be allowed gather dust'

Defence Minister Simon Coveney and Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Seán Clancy at the launch of the Commission on the Defence Forces report at the United Nations Training School at The Curragh, Co Kildare. Picture: Julien Behal Photography

The country's two military representative associations have cautiously welcomed the recommendations of the Commission on Defence report, but warned it can't be allowed to gather dust on the shelf as has happened with similar reports over the past 30 years.

PDForra president Mark Keane, who represents 6,500 military personnel, said there had to be political will to carry out its major recommendations to upgrade the Defence Forces.