Associations call for full-time defence minister  

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The two associations which represent around 7,000 members of the army, navy and air corps have called for the reinstatement of a full-time Defence Minister due to mounting global instability and the need to reinvigorate Ireland’s military capabilities.

RACO, which represents officers, and PDForra, which represents enlisted personnel, have both called for the move as there has not been a full-time minister in 13 years. Ireland and Malta are the only countries in Europe where there is not one.