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Irish Times
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Defence Forces' members criticise ‘elitist' and ‘archaic' behaviour by some senior officers
A 42-year veteran of the Irish naval service who previously described some senior officers as acting like they're in the 'British Raj' says it is clear from speaking to Defence Forces members this week that an 'elitist' mindset remains for many senior military figures. 'It originated a long time ago, and it is demeaning,' said Ken Holland, speaking at the annual conference of the Permanent Defence Forces Other Ranks Representative Association (PDForra). 'There's an elitism there among some. And you don't make any friends by saying it or sticking your head above the parapet,' said Mr Holland. He said many members were expected to wait hand on foot like servants for senior officers in aristocratic fashion, cleaning officers' toilets and cabins and providing them with silver service at mealtimes. READ MORE It was a particular issue for senior officers who had trained in the UK, according to Mr Holland, as they had 'learned some of their ways'. 'Those [officers], they do demean, and I saw it myself. People felt devalued. People just felt like there was a divide there, and it was there,' he said. Members in attendance at the conference appeared to agree, with a motion passed seeking to 'cease the practice of our members catering to the needs of commissioned officers during meal times to reflect a modern Defence Forces'. Introducing the motion – the third such one in the last five years – a delegate told of the rigorous training that one must go through as a member of the Defence Forces: 'Why is it that these people, trained in logistics from the beginning of their careers, end up spending most of their time cleaning private cabins and toilets of commissioned officers, running around the ship to figure out their meal preferences and setting up the officers' mess table to a standard that could rival any hotel?' The delegate spoke of a buzzer next to the officers' dining table that they could press to summon someone for their every whim during mealtimes. 'This, to me, is like calling someone like a dog,' the delegate said. 'It's not often used, to my knowledge. But, in my opinion, the fact that it exists is a disgrace. 'I've heard many speeches up here today about the Defence Forces moving into a modern Defence Forces. How can we call it a modern Defence Forces, or even a modern navy, when this archaic behaviour still exists?' When the speaker concluded, attendees erupted in loud applause. Another member at the conference said they had experienced demeaning demands from officers to heat their butter so it could be spread, along with shining their cutlery and fetching napkins. Mr Holland, who retired three years ago, said it was clear from members' continued frustration that not much had changed in terms of affording them the dignity they deserve. He said the applause received by speakers on the issue 'just goes to show that those same people are having those same issues now', he told The Irish Times. 'I'm disappointed that in 2025 these practices are still ongoing'. A spokesperson for the Defence Forces said it did not condone any demeaning behaviour by personnel in the execution of their duties. 'We encourage any issues of this nature to be brought to the interim grievance manager, the new independent complaints process, for resolution by an external panel of HR professionals.' The spokesperson added the duties of logistics staff on-board naval ships include 'general cleanliness of tableware and cutlery as well as the cabin and ablutions, as per the captain's standing orders'. 'A ship at sea is the epitome of teamwork in a harsh and challenging environment. The Defence Forces values the service of all of its personnel no matter how they serve the State,' the spokesperson said. Along with the motion to stop personnel catering to senior officers at mealtimes, just under 70 other motions, primarily related to pay and benefits, were passed by delegates. These, according to outgoing PDForra president Mark Keane, represent the multipronged approach the body is taking to tackle corrosive retention issues, as the private sector poaches crucial personnel from their ranks. 'We have recruitment measures, we now want retention measures,' he said before the closure of the three-day conference at the Gleneagle Hotel in Killarney, Co Kerry on Thursday. 'Whether it's an independent pay review for highly-skilled personnel, whether it's the duty payments announced in a review that was contained in the Fine Gael manifesto but never made it into the programme for government.'
RTÉ News
15-05-2025
- General
- RTÉ News
Navy celebrates new wave of sailors at Passing Out parade
The Irish Naval Service celebrated the graduation of its latest crop of Able Rate sailors at a special Passing Out parade at the service's Haulbowline headquarters in Cork harbour. Commodore Michael Malone said the 20 newly qualified sailors reflected the regeneration of the country's naval service which has witnessed a major fall-off in numbers in recent years. Citing improved pay and conditions, Commodore Malone said there are 30 others in training, and another 60 set to be inducted into the Navy over the coming summer. "We've big numbers coming into the Navy for the regeneration and obviously the ultimate hope is to get them all to sea and bring more vessels to do the work that we do, which is extremely essential at sea," he said. The twenty students, aged between 19 and 34 years, hail from across the country and overseas including from Scotland, the Netherlands, Poland and Bulgaria. "There's just certain benefits over here appeal to me and also, I have Irish heritage as well, so that would make me proud to serve my country over here as well," said Able Rate Conor McConway, who is originally from Glasgow. While Able Rate Adam Chruslak, who is originally from Poland but grew up in Dungarvan, said the Navy is now his family. "Training [was] tough, 24 weeks, but we all got through it, and I'd say this is my family for the rest of my life." The students also come from a variety of backgrounds including cheffing, technical theatre, secondary teacher, metal fabrication and oyster farmer. "I was originally working in films and theatre, and I did a lot of rigging and hauling and stuff and it interested me," Able Rate Sean Cassidy said. He added: "I was freelancing, and I wasn't getting a lot of work, and I thought this is a good, good career. "It'll keep me fit, it will keep me fed, keep me watered and keep me on the straight and narrow, and it has so I'm very happy to be here." Twenty-five year old Able Rate Lee McDonagh, from Crumlin in Dublin was awarded Best Overall Student. An awarding winning chef, he said his training in top ranking restaurants, where kitchens are organised in brigades, prepared him well for the demands of the Ordinary to Able Rate training course. "Similar enough like the brigade system of kitchens, it's very similar. It's actually based off of the military. So, I would say it did help me," he said. His grandmother Evelyn, and parents Gavin and Sorcha, were among the dozens of family members and friends of the Class Alpha 2025 who attended the ceremony. Having enlisted in the service last Autumn, the Able Rates have now completed 12 weeks of intensive training including sea survival skills, damage control, marine firefighting, ship familiarisation and ship protection skills. Following the ceremony, they will commence further specialised training including Seamanship/Gunnery, Mechanical/Engineering and Logistics, before being posted to the fleet as Able Rates. "Ah, sure look, we were told that when you first go out to the ship, it'll be a bit awkward at first, but you'll find your sea legs eventually," Able Rate Colm McMahon Doran said.
The Journal
15-05-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
PDFORRA's new boss says young people 'lifeblood' of Defence Forces and need better conditions
THE NEW PRESIDENT of a group representing rank and file military personnel has said that there is a need to confront the inequality in employment entitlements for new members. Araon Kearney, a communications specialist based at Cork's Collins Barracks, was elected today by delegates on the last day of the PDFORRA conference in Kerry. He takes over the presidency from Mark Keane – Kearney's deputy will be Sandra Daly who is a medic in the Irish Naval Service. Kearney said that he was humbled to be elected to lead the representative group. He said the key issue he wants to solve is the problem of people who joined after 2013 having less favourable work place entitlements to their older colleagues. This includes a significantly reduced pension for when they retire. This was a measure introduced during the height of austerity in the wake of the economic crash. 'The post 2013 joiners are the youngest people serving in our organisation, and they're the people that are the lifeblood of the Defence Forces and our group. 'I think it's very, very important that we fight to improve their terms and conditions, because they don't match those who joined before that date. 'They're the people who will be on the coal face of everything for the next 15 or 20 years so we have to put faith in them and fight to have their service recognised,' he said. Kearney said he supported the Tánaiste Simon Harris' comments on the importance of solving the crisis in recruitment and retention . Advertisement Harris had told The Journal on Wednesday when he attended the conference that purchasing of equipment was only part of a 'jigsaw' of solutions and that there was a need to recruit and keep in service people to operate the new kit. Kearney also endorsed the view that there is a need to advance to the highest level of ambition set out in an action plan to increase defence capability. 'As the Minister said it's very important to buy equipment to make sure that we are protected and looked after but if we don't have the people to man the armoured cars, fly the planes and crew the ships, we have nothing. 'We have to invest heavily in our people. And it's great that the minister actually acknowledged that,' he added. Outgoing President Mark Keane on the right hands over the chain of office to new president Araon Kearney. Niall O'Connor / The Journal Niall O'Connor / The Journal / The Journal Outgoing President Mark Keane welcomed the election and looked back at the successes of his tenure at the top of PDFORRA. 'When you look back on it, we started at a historically low place. We've come through difficult times and rebuilt PDFORRA. The organisation has demonstrated that it can deliver for its members, that we are an effective Association. 'We have shown the knowledge we have but also that we have the membership, and we have the grassroots who are willing to put in the hard work, willing to contest these elections, and willing to help each other. It is in the greatest tradition, the whole sense of methal and community, that people want to do this for the right reasons. 'It has been a privilege and an absolute honour to be President of PDFORRA and I enjoyed every moment of it,' he added. He paid tribute to his deputy Donogh Maguire and General Secretary Ger Guinan. 'They've been a great team and a great asset. I'd like to see that continue for the benefit of the associate and especially our members who deserve good representation,' he said. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
