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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.'
Irish Examiner
15-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Spouses of Defence Forces personnel now eligible for €1.50 weekly cross-border health cover
Enlisted Defence Forces personnel will be able to get spouses and partners included for low-cost cross-border health cover in the latest expansion of PDForra's medical assistance scheme. The scheme, known as PMAS, was originally set up by the association in 2018 to fast-track care for injured personnel who were often on lengthy waiting lists in Ireland for surgery. It has over 3,500 serving members who pay just €1.50 per week, which entitles them to treatment at the Kingsbridge Private Hospitals in Belfast and Derry. Last year, PDForra expanded the service to allow veterans to sign up, and to date, more than 1,500 have joined. The further expansion of the cover for spouses and partners of serving personnel was announced at PDForra's annual conference. PMAS Director Damien Quigley said spouses and partners can now be insured, again for just €1.50 a week each. The only criteria to qualify are that they must be ordinarily resident in this country, registered with a GP, and have a PPS number. It is expected that thousands more people will take up the medical cover. Since PMAS's inception, it's estimated that its members have availed of nearly €3 million in cross-border healthcare. To date, PMAS has helped more than 750 serving members access essential medical treatment, with many having undergone multiple procedures. Mr Quigley said many had back, shoulder, and knee surgeries, which are common injuries associated with the rigours of military service. While the majority of medical procedures have occurred in Northern Ireland, there have been some instances where the surgical expertise needed wasn't available there, and PMAS has paid for some Defence Forces members to get treatment at private hospitals in mainland Europe. The scheme has enabled injured soldiers, sailors, and aircrew to return to work far faster than if they had waited for HSE treatment in Ireland, thereby saving the State considerable funds over the years. PMAS members must pay for treatment upfront and are later reimbursed by the HSE. To support Defence Forces members in paying upfront, PMAS partnered with the Defence Forces ANSAC Credit Union to help defray costs. Whenever surgery costs have been confirmed, PMAS guarantees the member's loan from ANSAC. Once the HSE reimburses the member, PMAS pays the shortfall between the total cost of treatment and the HSE reimbursement. The PMAS scheme also covers any accrued interest on the ANSAC loan. Mr Quigley said getting official acknowledgment of PMAS by the Department of Defence would not only validate the scheme's achievements to date but also bolster confidence among members, partners, and stakeholders. 'We would welcome the opportunity to explore ways in which the Department might lend its support to this important initiative,' he told delegates.
Irish Examiner
14-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Gaps in Defence Forces personnel threatens Ireland's ability to respond to security risks, conference told
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. 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. Read More PDForra to push for halt to exodus of skilled technicians from Defence Forces
Irish Examiner
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Simon Harris says improving recruitment and retention in Defence Forces one of his 'most important priorities'
Simon Harris has said he is prepared to do whatever it takes to improve retention and recruitment in the country's military, but admitted achieving 'Level Of Ambition 3' for enhanced equipment like fighter jets would be 'a mammoth challenge". The Tánaiste and minister for defence told PDForra's annual conference that addressing recruitment and retention was one of his 'most important priorities'. He said he had met with his senior leadership team on Monday 'for a very detailed and frank discussion about how we can do more' to address these issues, as personnel are the Defence Forces' most vital asset. 'I want to ensure our existing recruitment and retention frameworks are fully optimised and effective. Rest assured, where changes are needed, they'll happen. And where new initiatives are required, they'll be introduced,' he said. The Government hopes to achieve Level Of Ambition 3 by 2040. This would provide the naval service with 12 ships, the air corps with fighter jets and the army with significant mechanised components. 'I want to be frank with you,' he told the conference. 'Achieving LOA3 is a mammoth challenge. It will require Government to step up and show we are serious in relation to increasing our defence spending. In my view as Tánaiste, displaying that level of seriousness should not be seen as an option — it's a necessity." The Defence Forces are moving towards LOA2, which Mr Harris described as 'a Scandinavian model". He said there was a record amount of money in this year's defence budget but acknowledged previous investment had been at 'a low base". He said he was planning to seek Cabinet approval to extend Irish peacekeeping operations in South Lebanon for another 12 months, and the Government would do everything it could to help ensure those behind the killing there of Private Seán Rooney were brought to justice. 'The delays in this case are not acceptable. The Rooney family deserve answers, they deserve accountability,' Mr Harris said. PDForra general secretary Gerard Guinan told Mr Harris while there had been strides in recent years to provide the country's military with better pay and conditions, still more needed to be done on those fronts. 'What is needed is a root-and-branch review of basic pay and duty money, which was a recommendation from the Commission on the Defence Forces and needs to be undertaken. Your own party, Tánaiste, after meeting with our president, the vice-president and I, included this aspect in the Fine Gael manifesto, which was welcome. However, we regrettably noticed this did not make it into the programme for government,' Mr Guinan said. He also reminded Mr Harris that when speaking to members of the Fine Gael party earlier this year 'they clearly understood the disparity of treatment of Defence Force members relative to other areas of the public and civil service who receive overtime payments.' Mr Guinan said under the current payments regime, soldiers, sailors and aircrew were being shortchanged by not having a premium attached to work outside normal duty hours. 'The basis for our contentions is well-founded in our complaint under Articles of the European Social Charter. Presently, PDForra is investigating the potential that significant sums may be payable to members for failure to provide a premium to personnel for public holidays,' Mr Guinan said. Read More Ireland to extend peacekeeping mission in Lebanon for 12 months — Tánaiste
Irish Examiner
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
PDForra to push for halt to exodus of skilled technicians from Defence Forces
The Government is to be pushed to establish a special review body 'as a matter of urgency' to halt the exodus of highly-skilled technicians leaving the military for better pay in the private sector. The matter is one of the 'big-ticket issues' for delegates attending the annual defence force representative body PDForra conference, which gets under way in Killarney today, Tuesday. In addition, a motion at the association's conference will call for the abolition of some of its near 6,000 enlisted members to have to serve commissioned officers during mealtimes 'so as to reflect a modern Defence Forces'. While successive governments have addressed the personnel crisis within the military in recent years with increased pay and allowances and better on-base accommodation, PDForra delegates will state more must be done to attract young people into the armed forces. It costs significant funding once they are there to train them in specialities but these skills, for which the taxpayer pays, are being 'headhunted' by the private sector in increasing numbers, with offers of better conditions of employment. PDForra president Mark Keane. Picture: Chani Anderson The delegates will contest that the three arms of the military — army, naval service, and air corps — can not function properly without such critical personnel and want this addressed along with several motions directed at improving allowances for other skilled cohorts. About 125 delegates will discuss a wide range of motions — totalling more than 70 — over their three-day conference at the Gleneagle Hotel. The conference will be addressed by Tánaiste and minister for foreign affairs and defence Simon Harris on Tuesday and, for the first time, by the designate Defence Forces Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Rossa Mulcahy, on Wednesday. Brig Gen Mulcahy will officially take over the top job next month from Lieutenant General Sean Clancy, who is to be elevated to the rank of full general when he takes up an appointment as the chairman of the European Union Military Committee. PDForra president Mark Keane said the conference will hear an unprecedented number of motions this year. 'Motions vary from the payment of long-service increments, which would, we believe, assist in the much-needed retention of personnel, to the creation of the new rank of lance corporal, which was a recommendation of the Commission on the Defence Forces,' Mr Keane added. He said many of the motions are pay related, as the association is attempting to equitably distribute the pool of funds available to it under the local bargaining provisions of the most recent public sector pay agreement. 'Our delegates have consulted widely with our membership over the past year to in order to ensure that personnel are remunerated properly for the hard work that they do,' Mr Keane added. Veterans' seven-day walk Meanwhile, a number of military veterans have just embarked on a seven-day walk retracing the 170km 'Famine Trail' from the Strokestown Famine Museum, Co Roscommon to the National Famine Memorial on Dublin's Custom House Quay. They will arrive in Dublin on May 18 to coincide with National Famine Commemoration Day. They are undertaking the walk to raise vital funds for the veterans' charity ONE. The famine trail dates back to 1847 when 227 families were evicted from their homes on Strokestown Estate in County Roscommon. As a result, 1,490 men, women, and children were forced to undertake a gruelling 170km walk to Dublin in order to start a new life overseas. It was there that they sailed to Liverpool before being forced to board coffin ships bound for Canada. Over two-thirds died on the journey. • For more information, visit the Famine Walk page on the the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel website.
