Denial of basic employment rights 'fostering discontent in Defence Forces'

Many officers and enlisted personnel are working more hours than they should to fill gaps because the Defence Forces are currently short around 1,000 personnel. File picture

The association representing the country’s military officers is urging the Minister for Defence and his officials to get around the table and implement the European Working Time Directive (WTD) across the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps without delay.

The WTD was implemented by the Gardaí 10 years ago, but despite repeated promises, nothing to date has been done to address this in the Defence Forces.