Gaps in Defence Forces personnel threatens Ireland's ability to respond to security risks, conference told

The incoming Defence Forces chief of staff Rossa Mulcahy.

A lack of key personnel continues to threaten our country's military capabilities and our ability to respond to today's increasingly challenging security environment, the incoming Defence Forces chief of staff has acknowledged. 

Brigadier General Rossa Mulcahy told delegates attending PDForra’s annual conference that the Defence Forces is working very hard, in a very challenging labour market, to recruit new blood and to retain highly-trained personnel.

“It is clear to all that we are in the midst of an increasingly challenging defence and security environment, both in our domestic maritime and aerial environment and on the wider European stage,” the senior officer said.

He said the Defence Forces' commitment to overseas peacekeeping mission continues to exert pressure on the organisation, as does commitments to proving resources when required by the gardaí or local authorities.

Security challenges

Brig Gen Mulcahy acknowledged that many personnel were working to plug gaps to maintain operations.

“We see it every day, like you do,” he told delegates “and we are under no illusions about all the challenges we face in an increasingly volatile European security environment.” 

Last year’s Defence Policy Review highlighted the challenges of an increasingly complex and unpredictable security environment, he said. 

“This underpins the need for the Defence Forces to be a joint, agile and fit for purpose military force postured to defend our State, protect our citizens and secure our interests.

"New equipment and infrastructure will be necessary here, and will be delivered."

"However, that is only part of the story. Capability is a marriage of first-rate equipment and properly trained, motivated personnel,” he added.

Pay rates

Meanwhile, PDForra says the Government must set up a specialist pay review body urgently to address the exodus of highly trained military technicians to the private sector.

This action was also recommended four years ago by the Commission on the Defence Forces.

PDForra general secretary Gerard Guinan said the international panel of experts on that commission recognised the difficulty that exists with retaining skilled personnel in the Defence Forces.

“The most recent review of specialist pay rates in 2021, which looked at the appropriateness of pay for personnel in specialist trades within certain bands failed to increase the pay at the very top level, who represented the most highly skilled, sought after and experienced personnel,” Mr Guinan said.

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The denial of increases was totally counterintuitive as personnel with lesser responsibilities and qualifications were moved up in technician pay. 

This subsquently decreased the value to personnel with higher qualifications in areas of high importance like navy engine room fitters, aircraft inspectors, and radar technicians.

Providing these key personnel with better pay would aid retention as they're currently being enticed to leave the Defence Forces for “substantially higher remuneration packages” in the private sector, Mr Guinan added.

PDForra is also calling for the introduction of the long service increments, recommended by both in 2019 and 2021.