Cormac O'Keeffe: Irish Defence Forces will have to fight to realise this ambitious report

Even retaining staff remains a challenge — but the CDF report recommends radical reform including a 50% increase in funding

The report says Ireland is a potential target due to its profile as an EU member and as an active participant in multinational peacekeeping missions. File Picture: Leon Farrell/RollingNews.ie

As soon as the ink was dry on the mammoth Commission on the Defence Forces (CDF) report, the focus was turning to the costs, rather than to the threats.

How would such substantial increases in funding — anywhere from 50% of the existing budget up — get over the line amid much bigger funding crises in housing and health, including child mental health?