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Damien Storan via PA

Defence spending boost confirmed but doubt cast over several key reform proposals

A new high level action plan on the Defence Forces has been launched this morning.

LAST UPDATE | 13 Jul 2022

THE DEFENCE BUDGET is set to rise from €1.1 billion to €1.5 billion by 2028 in the wake of a major report but question marks have been placed over several of its landmark recommendations.

Cabinet agreed yesterday to go ahead with the largest increase in the defence budget in the history of the state.

The Government has approved a move to “Level of Ambition 2” (LOA2) – one of the scenarios for investment in Irish forces set out in a capability framework devised by the Commission on the Defence Forces, published in February – which will result in the defence budget rising to €1.5 billion.

However, a new high-level action plan by the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces in response to the Commission’s report has not accepted several of its key recommendations on hierarchy and equipment.

The Minister for Defence Simon Coveney – along with the Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Transport Minister Eamon Ryan – is launching the new defence plan at McKee Barracks in Dublin this morning. Senior members of the Defence Forces, including Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Seán Clancy, are also in attendance.

Coveney said that the plan would see 6,000 extra troops, sailor and aircrew, over the next six years.

Speaking at the event, Coveney said that “quite simply, we have had historic underinvestment in defence”.

“Ireland is a palpable outlier when it comes to investment in our military by international and by European standards,” Coveney said, citing the Commission on the Defence Forces’ report.

He said that “while the Commission reported before the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia, the government’s decision to address the historic underfunding of the defence forces will inevitably be seen in the context of the fundamentally changed security and defence landscape across Europe”.

The government has said it will allow for the required transformation and investment in recruitment and equipment identified by the commission in its report earlier this year.

The move to LOA2 will require an additional 2,000 civil and military personnel over and above the current establishment of 9,500.

“It’s a program which will require a significant transformational change to address the culture of the defense forces to make it a working environment which is safe, where everybody is valued, where every member can trust the organisation, its processes and its structures,” Coveney said today.

“It will be a modern workplace where unacceptable behaviours are called out and transparently dealt with in the future, where a career progression based on merit is available for those with ability, ambition, and commitment, and where opportunities to be more and to realise their full potential are available to all members of defence forces regardless of rank.”

Defence Budget 004 Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications and Transport Eamon Ryan; Minister for Defence, Simon Coveney; Taoiseach Micheál Martin; and Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces Sean Clancy at McKee Barracks in Dublin today. Leah Farrell Leah Farrell

The Commission’s report outlined 130 recommendations. The action plan has accepted the majority of them – 48 fully and 55 “in principle” – with another 17 subject to further evaluation.

However, it is reverting to the government on 10 of the recommendations, including several top-line findings.

These include the creation of a chief of defence (CHOD) and the creation of a Defence Forces headquarters reporting to the CHOD, and that the army, air corps and navy should become services with service headquarters.

The action plan wants to revert to government on recommendations regarding a substantial mechanisation boost for infantry; that the navy would have a fleet of 12 with appropriate technology by 2040; that the air corps would develop air combat and intercept capability through acquiring a squadron of jet combat aircraft; and the implementation of an additional 200 cyber defence specialists.

Explaining why some actions have been labelled for reverting, the plan says that the recommendations from the Commission “include many that are complex in nature, have potential legislative changes and may require significant time to fully implement”.

“For example, it is the Minister’s intention to revert to Government on the proposed changes to the Defence Forces’ structures and, in particular, the reform of high-level Command and Control of the Defence Forces.

“This includes the creation of a Chief of Defence (CHOD), supported by a Vice CHOD, with the appropriate military Command and Control authority of the Defence Forces. Legal advice has been sought from the Attorney General.

“Clarification of the Minister’s role and the future role of the Department of Defence may be required following receipt of that advice.”

It said the minister favours the implementation of those recommendations subject to the advice from the Attorney General on any potential Constitutional and legal implications.

Defence Budget 009 Taoiseach Micheál Martin has a discussion with Chief of Staff Lt Gen Seán Clancy in McKee Barracks with Brigadier General Tony Cudmore to the left. Leah Farrell Leah Farrell

Lt General Clancy said that he situation in Ukraine, climate change and a broader shift in the geopolitical environment across the globe means that there is a need to strengthen Ireland’s defences.   

“These trends all point to the necessity to have a fit for purpose military and a very clear approach to defense and security within this State. Since the national army took their very first tentative steps onto our nation’s streets over 100 years ago, our people, the people of Óglaigh na hÉireann, here and have been the foundation of our organization’s success. This change process will be no different.

“Implementing the human resource initiatives of the action plan early in this process will allow us to develop it better offering a better career path for our people, support retention of our experienced people and our skills people and attract new people to join our defense forces, our ranks and to be able to be more.

“This in turn would provide a foundation that will facilitate and support implementation of the structures and capability aspects of the actual plan and thereby help to develop an agile, flexible and adaptive organisation capable of responding to those challenges that are current and those that we will face in the future,” he said. 

The Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (RACO) said in a statement that it welcomes any investment in the Defence Forces but is still concerned about plans for pay.

The plan, according to the association, would see officers “treated less favourably than their enlisted colleagues in terms of Military Service and Instructor’s allowances”.

The association said: “This should have been a positive story for the Defence Forces. Any improvements in capability provision are welcomed, however, there can be no defence capability without people”. The statement added that the plan will fail without the buy-in of commissioned leaders.

Speaking in the Dáil, Independent TD and former member of the Defence Forces Dr Cathal Berry stressed the importance of the planned increase in numbers.

“The strength of our military is the lowest it has been for 50 years right now at less than 8,300 people. It has not been this low in half a century, and we need to get that number up,” he said, highlighting the departure of 203 people from the Defence Forces this year.

“That is ten people a week. That’s not turn-over Taoiseach, that is attrition and no organisation can put up with that level of attrition,” he said.

Commenting on the framework, the Taoiseach said: “The action plan we are launching today makes a clear commitment about our ambition for defence – just as our Defence Forces strengthen the nation, we must ensure that we strengthen our Defence Forces.

“This single biggest investment in the history of the state shows the Government’s strong commitment to urgently support the Defence Forces transition into a modern military force that is agile, with the appropriate capability, culture and values that reflect modern workplace and today’s Irish society.”

- Reporting by Niall O’Connor, Lauren Boland and Sarah McGuinness

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    Mute Billy Connelly
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    Oct 19th 2017, 8:09 PM

    Im at home snuggled by the fire about to have a hot dinner brought into me whilst having a glass of wine. I feel so sad for victim’s of this trafic light debacle….:)

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    Mute Paddy Hayden
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    Oct 19th 2017, 8:44 PM

    @Billy Connelly: I think that’s where the Guards are too . At least they’re aware of the issue .

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    Mute Patabake Kennedy
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    Oct 19th 2017, 8:49 PM

    @Billy Connelly: I say, sitting in this traffic with all those wexford lowlifes peering at my beemer is excruciating. How uncivil of the lower class to even venture onto such an exclusive area as the outstanding N11. How uncouth.

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    Mute thenightmancometh
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    Oct 19th 2017, 9:41 PM

    @Billy Connelly: Its a jake. A total jake.

    11
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    Mute Billy Connelly
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    Oct 19th 2017, 9:48 PM

    @Paddy Hayden: Their monitoring closely

    5
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    Mute Billy Connelly
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    Oct 19th 2017, 10:33 PM

    @Patabake Kennedy: really? Im home, back in my home in Wexford having driven from Dublin 4 in my lovely Skoda. I love watching from my car window all the Audi and Beemers whilst in traffic wondering how the otherside live

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    Mute John Nolan
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    Oct 19th 2017, 8:30 PM

    Have The Guards forgotten how to do traffic point duty.

    109
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    Mute Jamie McCormack
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    Oct 19th 2017, 8:56 PM

    Good point John. It’s still a part of the driving test to know your various signals.

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    Mute Jonathan Power
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    Oct 20th 2017, 12:38 AM

    @John Nolan: there still looking for Noreens phone

    12
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    Mute Fiona deFreyne
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    Oct 19th 2017, 8:08 PM

    It’s chaos in a lot of other areas as well.

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    Mute Theportobello
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    Oct 19th 2017, 8:17 PM

    Is this what passes for a headline on the Journal?

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    Mute Darren Tully
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    Oct 19th 2017, 9:59 PM

    @Theportobello: I think it’s more of a public service anouncement I’m thankful for reports of serious traffic delays that help me avoid them.

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    Mute j4VEpUO8
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    Oct 19th 2017, 9:20 PM

    A Garda station only 20 seconds up the road. God help us!

    54
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    Mute JustOneScoop
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    Oct 19th 2017, 8:13 PM

    The entire day was a ball of crap.. Also thanks to the cars that ran into each other at the Glen of the downs. Kudos for not keeping distance. 2 1/2 hour journey home

    108
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    Mute Joseph Dempsey
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    Oct 19th 2017, 9:20 PM

    Intriguing,it would be helpful if the traffic corps could spend less time tweeting and more time actually managing this mess

    45
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    Mute Sean
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    Oct 19th 2017, 10:18 PM

    @Joseph Dempsey: maybe the tweeting unit tweets and the traffic unit does the traffic?

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    Mute David Huston
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    Oct 19th 2017, 8:19 PM

    Hope some Bemer doesn’t rear end my Audi guys, Right.

    50
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    Mute Del Bear
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    Oct 19th 2017, 8:09 PM

    I just got the bus in from stillorgan to town and it was grand!

    31
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    Mute Stephen Collard
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    Oct 19th 2017, 8:09 PM

    It was a mess all day!!

    40
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    Mute ⚡ Seánie ⚡
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    Oct 19th 2017, 8:32 PM

    FFS. Doing night shift to avoid people, not get stuck in traffic with them.

    41
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    Mute Eoin Kenny
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    Oct 19th 2017, 8:15 PM

    It took me 2 hours to drive from the square Tallaght to bray an absolute nightmare.

    37
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    Mute Nick Allen
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    Oct 19th 2017, 8:22 PM

    @Eoin Kenny:

    Not surprised it took you 2 hrs if you are going from Tallaght to Bray via Donnybrook

    111
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    Mute Eddie O'Neill
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    Oct 19th 2017, 9:40 PM

    @Eoin Kenny: Any relation to that thick country vegetable, Enda Kenny? (only joking with you Eoin, it was a rough day on the roads of Dublin (and Wicklow) ).

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    Mute Reg
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    Oct 19th 2017, 8:08 PM

    Sandymount was the same earlier, backed up from the Merrion Gates to Ringsend. Luckily I was on two wheel…..so long suckers!

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    Mute Dj
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    Oct 19th 2017, 8:17 PM

    @Reg: I’d say your Ringsend is backed up from that saddle!

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    Mute Reg
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    Oct 19th 2017, 8:18 PM

    Regular as clock work DJ!

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    Mute Anthony Halpin
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    Oct 19th 2017, 8:10 PM

    Heard that there’s a powercut in Donnybrook, traffic lights out.

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    Mute Anthony Halpin
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    Oct 19th 2017, 8:13 PM

    @Anthony Halpin: …. just as he sees it in the article …

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    Mute aoife shanahan
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    Oct 19th 2017, 10:58 PM

    It’s extremely dangerous when a junction that has traffic coming from four different directions is left with no signal and not a guard in sight. They’ve been aware of the situation for hours and their only response has been a tweet to avoid the area. This is actually negligent. I hope that a serious accident doesn’t happen!

    17
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    Mute eimsley
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    Oct 19th 2017, 9:55 PM

    EVERY SINGLE DAY IN GALWAY. Every day

    17
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    Mute john g mcgrath
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    Oct 19th 2017, 9:16 PM

    Thousands of Guards in Dublin and we can’t get 2or3 to do point duty at one of The busiest junctions in Dublin.
    To serve and protect my arse!!!

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    Mute j4VEpUO8
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    Oct 19th 2017, 9:22 PM

    @john g mcgrath: ohh they protect alright. We all know who..

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    Mute Matt Connolly
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    Oct 19th 2017, 9:46 PM

    @j4VEpUO8: Did you not hear? They’re replacing the trffic corp with the Communications Corp. They’ll soon be rolling it out across the whole force. You’ll be tweeted where crime is happening so you can stay away, if you don’t and get caught up in it, it’s your own fault for putting yourself in harms way when you’ve been warned.

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    Mute Sean
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    Oct 19th 2017, 10:19 PM

    @john g mcgrath: I’m sorry but why does your arse need protecting?

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    Mute Charlie Melia
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    Oct 20th 2017, 5:11 PM

    @john g mcgrath: Agree totally John. Mainly lazy thugs who don’t want to work in extreme conditions when they are needed most. After my experience with two family members being burgled….. One visit by one Garda who never checked back. Considering one family member was 80 years of age. I thought it was an absolute disgrace.

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    Mute Lad
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    Oct 19th 2017, 9:14 PM

    The outage may have come from storm Brian.. because some young girl said it…

    10
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    Mute Eddie O'Neill
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    Oct 19th 2017, 9:00 PM

    At 6ish traffic out of town was very bad today on the Donnybrook, Leeson St, Ranelagh routes, were the lights out since that time anyone know?

    9
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    Mute SkylineSi
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    Oct 20th 2017, 7:39 AM

    I was stuck right in the middle. Was chaos. Everyone just trying to force their way through. Even some passenger, in a wife beater top, got out and tried to direct traffic. He nearly got side swiped. I called Donnybrook Garda station twice but no answer. Only 20 secs up to road but no where to be seen.

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    Mute Austin hickey
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    Oct 19th 2017, 11:27 PM

    The Garda are to busy

    6
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    Mute Patabake Kennedy
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    Oct 20th 2017, 12:22 AM

    @Austin hickey: Yeah. scrachin your self wears these guys out all right.

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    Mute scanlanavia
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    Oct 19th 2017, 8:52 PM

    shucks.. first world problems…

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    Mute The Watcher
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    Oct 19th 2017, 8:21 PM

    That’s only the beginning. Wait until they start testing the LUAS more intensely tomorrow. Trams ruining every 3 minutes in O Connell street at 10kph.

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    Mute Simon Conneely
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    Oct 20th 2017, 4:37 PM

    If there were more flyovers on existing junctions past shankhill heading towards city centre there would be no problems

    1
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