The Tánaiste is today’s keynote speaker at the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers’ annual conference in Carlow.
The event got underway yesterday in Tullow where delegates called on the Government to establish a dedicated Minister with responsibility for Defence.
The Association says that chronic understaffing levels have worsened since it sought to have this issue added to the Defence Forces risk register two years ago.
Micheál Martin, whose portfolio also includes Foreign Affairs and Defence, will address the gathering this morning.
The conference comes at a time when tensions are rising in Lebanon where many RACO members are serving with the United Nations.
Lieutenant Colonel Derek Priestly is Deputy General Secretary of RACO and has been updating KCLR News’ Edwina Grace on the conference;
