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Irish Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Money to pay Reserve Defence Forces members ran out due to recruitment ‘surge'
The Government ran out of money to pay members of the Reserve Defence Forces (RDF) last year due to greater-than-expected recruitment. While the strength of the Permanent Defence Forces continues to stagnate, recruitment to the Reserves has increased sharply in the last two years. This level of recruitment is expected to increase further as a result of planned advertising campaigns. Internal Department of Defence documents show officials realised in November 2024 that they did not have enough money to pay reservists for the remainder of the year. By then, the €3.01 million budget for 'reserve training and support days' had already been exhausted, despite supplementary funds being assigned earlier in the year. READ MORE In the absence of extra money, RDF activity would have to be suspended for the remainder of the year or reservists would have to go without pay over the Christmas period, officials said. [ Parlous state of Defence Forces once again laid bare Opens in new window ] In the end, members of the RDF, which comprises the Army Reserve and the much smaller Naval Service Reserve, had to wait until the new year for payment. According to internal emails, the reason for the budget shortfall was a 'surge' in recruitment during 2024. This was due to the removal of recruitment barriers, such as delays in conducting medicals for new recruits . The increase in numbers is expected to continue into 2025 as part of Government efforts to revitalise the Reserve and increase its size, officials remarked. Information provided by the Defence Forces shows this prediction was correct. In mid-2023, there were just over 1,400 members of the RDF; about one third of its notional full strength. There are now just under 2,000 members of the organisation, bringing it up to half of its notional strength. In 2024, 268 new recruits were brought in, a 300 per cent increase on recruitment numbers for 2023. So far this year, 76 new troops have been inducted, with another 227 in training. 'Induction numbers are expected to increase with the commencement of a nationwide advertisement campaign in the coming months,' a Defence Forces spokesman said. The budget for the reserve has also increased to €3.4 billion. However, it is not clear whether this will be enough to cover the growth in numbers. Writing in late 2024, officials said increased recruitment and plans for the revitalisation of the RDF mean there will be continued uncertainty over its budget requirements in the coming years. [ Reserve of ex-Defence Forces personnel down to just three officers Opens in new window ] Earlier this year, the Reserve Defence Force Representative Association told Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Simon Harris the 2025 budget covers only seven days of military service per reservist. According to sources, it told Mr Harris many reservists carry out up to 80 days of military service per year. Under a revitalisation plan published last year, the Government aims to incentive reserve membership and to double the size of the Naval Service Reserve from 200 to 400. It will also create a 200-strong Air Corps Reserve. Other measures include legislation allowing reservists to serve overseas and a commitment to examine job-protection measures for RDF members called away on duty. Barriers to recruitment remain, according to military sources. They include a lack of qualified doctors to carry out medicals for prospective members. Some members are also unhappy they are being used as a 'shadow workforce' by the Permanent Defence Forces, without being offered the same employment rights, such as PRSI payments. Reservists frequently work on a full-time basis with the Permanent Defence Forces to fill workforce gaps. Later this year, the Workplace Relations Commission is to hear a case by a reservist challenging his designation as a 'volunteer' instead of an employee. In response to queries, a Department of Defence spokesman said the Tánaiste is committed to the regeneration of the RDF. He said the Office of Reserve Affairs is 'fully resourced and equipped to take all steps to increase the number of members of the RDF'.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
NGT directs Coimbatore Corporation to begin decentralising solid waste disposal
The National Green Tribunal (Southern Zone), in a hearing held on August 6, 2025 (Wednesday), directed Coimbatore Corporation to explore measures to start decentralising solid waste management and to expedite bio-mining operations to clear legacy waste at the Vellalore dumpyard. The Tribunal reviewed a report by the Corporation highlighting challenges such as delays in disposing of Refuse-Derived Fuel (RDF) to cement factories, caused by stockpiling and limited disposal options. It also noted difficulties in acquiring land within the city for decentralised waste processing due to public opposition. Counsel for the applicant expressed concerns over the ongoing centralisation of waste at Vellalore dumpyard, which hampers timely processing and increases carbon emissions from transportation. The report stated that 92,431 metric tonnes of legacy waste have been processed so far, including through bio-mining. To accelerate progress, the Corporation has increased machinery deployment and extended operational hours, aiming to complete the remaining 697,061.49 metric tonnes by October 2026. The Tribunal stated that it should be the Corporation's responsibility to ensure public understanding by intensifying awareness campaigns on decentralisation efforts. The next hearing is scheduled for November 3, 2025.
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First Post
09-08-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Congo says Rwanda-backed rebels killed 80 civilians amid peace talks
Rwanda backed rebels have killed at least 80 people in eastern Congo in recent weeks, Congolese authorities said, despite the ongoing Qatar led peace process aiming to end the conflict. read more At least 80 civilians have been killed in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo in recent weeks by rebels backed by Rwanda, Congolese officials said, despite ongoing Qatar-mediated peace efforts aimed at halting the violence. Eastern Congo has faced decades of conflict, and tensions escalated earlier this year when the M23 insurgent group supported by Rwandan forces captured two major cities. The region remains home to over 100 armed groups competing for control of its vast mineral resources. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The continued bloodshed threatens hopes of finalizing a permanent peace agreement by August 18. One of the deal's key provisions is ensuring civilian safety and enabling the return of millions displaced by the fighting. In a statement late Friday, the Congolese army condemned what it called 'a series of mass murders of civilians in South Kivu.' It said 80 people were killed on August 4 in the village of Nyaborongo, while six others, including two minors, were murdered on July 24 in Lumbishi. It blamed the the RDF/M23-AFC coalition, which includes the rebel groups M23 and AFC backed by the Rwanda Defense Force (RDF). 'In addition to this excessive criminality, the M23/AFC is engaged in the forced recruitment of young people, including minors, to join their illegal organization,' the statement said. There was no immediate comment from M23. When asked for a comment, the Rwandan foreign minister Olivier J.P. Nduhungirehe told The Associated Press that he could not comment on 'any stupidity coming from DRC,' using the acronym of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Earlier this month, the U.N. human rights chief said that M23 killed 319 people over the past month in a different part of the region, describing the toll as one of the largest documented of such attacks since the M23 rebels resurfaced in 2022. Citing firsthand accounts, U.N. human rights chief Volker Türk said in a statement that the rebels, backed by members of the Rwandan Defense Force, targeted four villages in North Kivu province's Rutshuru territory between July 9 and July 21. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD M23 denied the accusations and called the U.N. statement 'unverified and politically motivated.' 'These allegations constitute a blatant manipulation of the facts, a violation of basic principles of impartiality, and a serious attack on the credibility of U.N. institutions,' said Lawrence Kanyuka, the spokesperson for the Congo River Alliance, an umbrella organization which includes M23. 'We call for the opening of an independent investigation and hope that the organizations that published this report can participate in it.' The two sides on July 19 signed a declaration of principles in Qatar to end the fighting and commit to a comprehensive peace agreement that would include the restoration of state authorities in key eastern cities controlled by the insurgents. With inputs from agencies
Al-Ahram Weekly
09-08-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Rwanda-backed rebels killed at least 80 civilians in recent weeks: Congolese authorities - Africa
Rwanda-backed rebels have killed at least 80 people in eastern Congo in recent weeks, Congolese authorities said, despite the ongoing Qatar-led peace process aiming to end the conflict. The army said in a statement late Friday that it is 'fiercely condemning a series of mass murders of civilians by the RDF/M23-AFC coalition" in South Kivu, including of 80 people on Aug. 4 in the village of Nyaborongo, and of six civilians, including two minors, on July 24 in the village of Lumbishi. 'In addition to this excessive criminality, the M23/AFC is engaged in the forced recruitment of young people, including minors, to join their illegal organisation,' the statement said. The continuing violence could threaten Qatar-led efforts to get Congo and the rebels to sign a permanent peace deal by the goal of Aug. 18. One of the deal's conditions is the protection of civilians and safe return of millions of people displaced by the conflict. There was no immediate comment from M23. Earlier this month, the U.N. human rights chief said that M23 killed 319 people over the past month in a different part of the region, describing the toll as one of the largest documented in such attacks since the M23 rebels resurfaced in 2022. Citing firsthand accounts, U.N. human rights chief Volker Türk said in a statement that the rebels, backed by members of the Rwandan Defence Force, targeted four villages in North Kivu province's Rutshuru territory between July 9 and July 21. M23 denied the accusations and called the U.N. statement 'unverified and politically motivated.' 'These allegations constitute a blatant manipulation of the facts, a violation of basic principles of impartiality, and a serious attack on the credibility of U.N. institutions,' said Lawrence Kanyuka, the spokesperson for the Congo River Alliance, an umbrella organisation which includes M23. 'We call for the opening of an independent investigation and hope that the organisations that published this report can participate in it.' The M23 earlier this year seized two key cities in eastern Congo, in a major escalation with the help of neighbouring Rwandan forces. Congo has long been wracked by deadly conflict in its mineral-rich east, with more than 100 armed groups active. The two sides, on July 19, signed a declaration of principles in Qatar to end the fighting and commit to a comprehensive peace agreement that would include the restoration of state authorities in key eastern cities controlled by the insurgents. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
09-08-2025
- Politics
Rwanda-backed rebels have recently killed at least 80 civilians in Congo: Authorities
KINSHASA, Congo -- Rwanda-backed rebels have killed at least 80 people in eastern Congo in recent weeks, Congolese authorities said, despite the ongoing Qatar-led peace process aiming to end the conflict. The army said in a statement late Friday that it is 'fiercely condemning a series of mass murders of civilians by the RDF/M23-AFC coalition" in South Kivu, including of 80 people on Aug. 4 in the village of Nyaborongo, and of six civilians, including two minors, on July 24 in the village of Lumbishi. 'In addition to this excessive criminality, the M23/AFC is engaged in the forced recruitment of young people, including minors, to join their illegal organization,' the statement said. The continuing violence could threaten Qatar-led efforts to get Congo and the rebels to sign a permanent peace deal by the goal of Aug. 18. One of the deal's conditions is the protection of civilians and safe return of millions of people displaced by the conflict. There was no immediate comment from M23. Earlier this month, the the U.N. human rights chief said that M23 killed 319 people over the past month in a different part of the region, describing the toll as one of the largest documented in such attacks since the M23 rebels resurfaced in 2022. Citing firsthand accounts, U.N. human rights chief Volker Türk said in a statement that the rebels, backed by members of the Rwandan Defense Force, targeted four villages in North Kivu province's Rutshuru territory between July 9 and July 21. M23 denied the accusations and called the U.N. statement 'unverified and politically motivated.' 'These allegations constitute a blatant manipulation of the facts, a violation of basic principles of impartiality, and a serious attack on the credibility of U.N. institutions,' said Lawrence Kanyuka, the spokesperson for the Congo River Alliance, an umbrella organization which includes M23. 'We call for the opening of an independent investigation and hope that the organizations that published this report can participate in it.' The M23 earlier this year seized two key cities in eastern Congo, in a major escalation with the help of neighboring Rwandan forces. Congo has long been wracked by deadly conflict in its mineral-rich east, with more than 100 armed groups active. The two sides on July 19 signed a declaration of principles in Qatar to end the fighting and commit to a comprehensive peace agreement that would include the restoration of state authorities in key eastern cities controlled by the insurgents.
