Government’s been called on to establish a dedicated Minister with responsibility for Defence.
The representative association of commissioned officers, or RACO, is set to discuss its plea at its annual conference which takes place in Tullow this week.
The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence Micheál Martin’s due to address the gathering tomorrow.
Ahead of that, today RACO elected representatives will debate 28 motions covering issues ranging from inadequate pensions and the Working Time Directive to concerns around overseas deployments as well as allowances and training.
The two-day conference is being held at a time when violence is escalating in Lebanon, where many RACO members are currently serving in the region with the United Nations. One of the motions being tabled today calls for enhanced incentives and supports for personnel deploying overseas, to help alleviate the strain on families left behind, and combat the increased cost of living.
Lieutenant Colonel Conor King, General Secretary of RACO says, “the situation has become so challenging that mandatory assignments, rather than voluntary deployments, are becoming the norm. This shift, coupled with the understaffing in operational units, has significantly increased the risk to those deployed, and to those left behind in these units.”
He also described the worsening staffing situation in the Defence Forces as “a symptom of government indifference towards the Defence portfolio. No longer can Defence be considered an afterthought.”
President of RACO, Lieutenant Colonel Martin Ryan says most units in the Defence Forces are severely understaffed at the leadership and management grades. “This stark reality is leading to a lack of supervision and governance, which significantly increases risk and stress, damages morale, and leads to issues with retention. We need action now.”
RACO members are calling for the immediate implementation of agreed protection and welfare measures associated with the Working Time Directive, including family reunion flights for members deployed overseas, and mandatory Time Off in Lieu associated with intensive courses, seagoing operations and overseas deployment training.
RACO say that the failure to deliver these vital agreed measures over a year after they were agreed with management, and eight months after formal approval by the Tánaiste is unacceptable, and has negatively impacted the morale of all DF personnel.
In the recent RACO Climate Survey, over 95% of Commissioned Officers polled said that they believed the Defence Forces should have a full-time Defence Minister, with the current arrangement that sees a Minister overseeing multiple responsibilities and departments not seen as optimal, particularly given the significant transformation agenda within Defence, the commitments to significantly enhance investment in the Defence Forces, the increased global security threats and the recent creation of an EU Defence Commissioner.
The conference will also hear from the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces Lieutenant General Seán Clancy tomorrow morning. It will be Lieutenant General Clancy’s last RACO conference before taking up his new role as Chair of the European Union Military Committee next May.
