Officers and Defence Department clash in midst of State's largest ever security operation

Members of the Irish Defence Forces’ 69th Infantry Group at Aiken Barracks in Dundalk ahead of a review by minister for defence Helen McEntee prior to their deployment to Lebanon as part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Picture: Liam McBurney/Press Association

The Defence Forces’ command of Ireland’s largest ever security operation on Thursday was marred by a public row between an officer staff body and the Department of Defence.

It followed moves overnight on Wednesday to try and resolve the issue, which failed to materialise.

Early on Thursday morning, the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (Raco) claimed the department was engaged in “blatant exploitation” of officers by depriving them of allowances — including for 24-hour duty – given to personnel that they command.

Raco president Lt Col Martin Ryan accused the Government of “defence on the cheap”.

The call was made on the morning that the Defence Forces were deployed on Operation Fianna, the organisation’s security operation for Ireland's presidency of the EU and the European Political Community (EPC).

The EPC summit was the largest security operation in the history of the State, and is followed today by the EU heads of state meeting.

Both summits are taking place at the Convention Centre on Dublin’s north quays. Up to 50 leaders attended the event, including Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

In a surprise development on Thursday, US president Donald Trump’s two special envoys met the Ukrainian president at a secret location in Dublin to discuss developments in the Russian-Ukraine negotiations.

Around 700 members of the Defence Forces are assisting gardaí in the security operation today and tomorrow.

Raco said that officers were working alongside, and often in command of, junior officers and enlisted personnel who receive security duty allowances at the rate of €68 per day before tax for the same operation. 

"The Department of Defence has directed that the senior officers will receive nothing, and expect them to work for free defending and protecting European leaders," the statement said.

Following the Raco statement, the Department of Defence issued a response, saying the defence minister Helen McEntee acknowledged the "excellent work and commitment" of public servants, including the Defence Forces, in delivering and supporting Ireland’s Presidency of the EU.

It said: “In recognition of the important role being undertaken, the minister was pleased to successfully negotiate yesterday the payment of an allowance to Defence Forces officers at the rank of commandant who are undertaking 24-hour duties as part of the State’s security provision. 

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"This brings all ranks, up to and including Commandants, in receipt of additional payments for duties undertaken. As with comparable ranks in An Garda Síochána and across the Civil Service, senior military leaders at the rank of Col and Lt Col do not attract such allowances or additional payments.” 

In response, Raco said it "rejected that offer as it did not acknowledge the fact that Lt Cols in particular, and Cols from time to time, are rostered in advance for 24-hour duty, unlike the false and disingenuous comparison of gardaí and civil servants".

Defence Forces personnel are involved in land, sea and air operations for the presidency, including maritime security, counter-drone operations, air surveillance and patrols.