Martin wants to bolster Defence Forces with civilian personnel

Defence Minister Micheál Martin said the current strength of the naval service is 770, which he described as 'very serious' and 'way too low'.

Defence Minister Micheál Martin wants to bolster the Defence Forces with more civilian personnel, extend mandatory retirement age and have proposals ready by the end of the year to introduce the Working Time Directive to the country’s military.

Mr Martin said he and senior military management are looking at a number of initiatives to address the retention and recruitment crisis amongst an ever-depleting Defence Forces, and especially the Naval Service, which is under huge pressure due to a chronic lack of personnel.