Naval service numbers fall below 800, over 200 below its minimum staffing level

A Naval service passing-out ceremony at  Haulbowline Naval Base in Cork in February this year: While there are vacancies across all three wings of the Defence Forces, the navy continues to suffer the most. Picture: David Jones/Naval Service 

The navy’s strength has fallen below the 800-personnel mark, over 200 below its minimum staffing level of 1,094.

There are cavalry squadrons with no captains where they are supposed to have at least three, infantry battalions with three when they should have eight, and there is also a serious shortage of doctors in the Defence Forces.