Defence Forces Report 2009 highlights invaluable work of Irish soldiers at home and abroad
Fine Gael Spokesman for Defence, David Stanton T.D. has called on the Minister to seek out an early opportunity to deploy the Defence Forces force to a battalion sized mission overseas to ensure Ireland maintains their hard earned reputation as a world class peace support force and to maintain the highest standards of a professional military force.
Deputy Stanton went on to say that in order to achieve the High Level Goals outlined in the report, including on-island security and contributing to international peace, the strength of the Defence Forces cannot be allowed to drop below 10,000 personnel.
“All the men and women of the Defence Forces and their colleagues in the Department of Defence have performed to an extremely high standard in recent years and the 2009 Annual Report testifies to the work they do on our behalves. The way the Defence Forces stepped up to the plate during the weather crisis is to be particularly commended.
“I believe there are two critical issues that need to be addressed if this level of performance is to be maintained. Firstly, it is essential that the Irish Defence Forces maintain a strong and visible presence on the stage of international peacekeeping. Secondly, in order to fulfil overseas duties and operations at home the Defence Forces cannot be allowed to drop below the agreed strength of 10,000. I believe this is an absolute minimum for the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps to be effective. Unfortunately, the Government has allowed the Defence Forces to remain below this level, despite commitments that this would not happen.
“I welcome the recen say that in order to achieve the High Level Goals outlined in the report, including on-island security and contributing to international peace, the strength of the Defence Forces cannot be allowed to drop below 10,000 personnel.
“All the men and women of the Defence Forces and their colleagues in the Department of Defence have performed to an extremely high standard in recent years and the 2009 Annual Report testifies to the work they do on our behalves. The way the Defence Forces stepped up to the plate during the weather crisis is to be particularly commended.
“I believe there are two critical issues that need to be addressed if this level of performance is to be maintained. Firstly, it is essential that the Irish Defence Forces maintain a strong and visible presence on the stage of international peacekeeping. Secondly, in order to fulfil overseas duties and operations at home the Defence Forces cannot be allowed to drop below the agreed strength of 10,000. I believe this is an absolute minimum for the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps to be effective. Unfortunately, the Government has allowed the Defence Forces to remain below this level, despite commitments that this would not happen.
“I welcome the recent announcement by the Minister for Finance that the Government is committed to updating the Naval Service flotilla through the purchase of two new offshore patrol vessels. I also welcome an overdue commitment in today’s report to purchase fitted roll-over cages for trucks to allow for the safe transport of our troops. These must be purchased without delay.
“The ongoing crisis in the medical corps should be addres
