Survey shows 74% support an increase in resources for Irish Defence Forces
Almost 80% believe expenditure on Irish military is important
THERE has been a significant rise in public support for greater funding to beef up the country’s military defences.
A new survey carried out by the Defence Forces found almost three out of four people (74%) support more resources for the Irish military.
Asked if expenditure on defence of the country was important to Ireland, 78% agreed it was. This compares to a figure of 66% just three years earlier.
The Defence Forces survey was carried out last August against the backdrop of global instability caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine but before the outbreak of war in Israel and Palestine.
Some 29% of those polled strongly agreed the Defence Forces need to be given greater funding to fulfil their role.
Among the reasons given for increased investment, 21% said they wanted to keep the country safe and defend Ireland. One in five said our troops were currently under-resourced, while 14% said we needed a ‘better [and] bigger army’.
A copy of a presentation, outlining the main findings from the research, said: ‘The level of support for additional resources has increased by 3% to 74%.
‘This is showing a general trend upwards since 2020 – [the] highest level since survey started. [There has, however, been a] drop in support in Munster.’
Asked about the organisational culture of the Defence Forces, 60% of people questioned said their perception of Ireland’s military was just ‘average’. Of those polled, 27% expressed positive sentiments about the Irish military, compared to 13% who had a negative view.
The presentation, released under Freedom of Information, said: ‘The incidence of having a negative perception increases with age, peaking with those aged 65+ … [who are more likely to be] consumers of traditional media.’
When individuals with a poor view of the Defence Forces were asked why, 24% cited a lack of gender equality, while 16% referred directly to sexual misconduct and related controversies that have plagued the military in recent years.
Other reasons for negative perception were allegations of bullying
‘Retention and pay remain issues of concern’
or harassment (15%), ‘bad media’ or scandals (14%), bad culture (13%) and bad pay (10%).
Overall, however, most people were positive about Ireland’s military, with four out of five of those polled saying they particularly appreciated the role of the Defence Forces in international peacekeeping and humanitarian operations.
The presentation said: ‘There is continued increase (3%) in the proportion of adults who value the DF [Defence Forces] role in peacekeeping.
‘[There is also a] continued increase in the proportion of adults who value the role played in national security, a 4% increase to 82%.’ The research also found high levels of confidence about the existence of the Defence Forces with 72% saying they were reassured by knowing they were available if needed.
There were also strong feelings that recruitment challenges and salaries remained significant problems for the organisation.
‘There is continued agreement that retention and pay remain issues of concern for serving members – [a] significant increase [of] 5%,’ the presentation said.
‘[The survey showed the] highest ever levels of trust in the Defence Forces – [other] separate polls also support these levels of trust.’
A military spokesman said the survey was carried out periodically to gauge public opinion on the Defence Forces, the effectiveness of their communications, and especially the impact of recruitment campaigns during a time of full employment.
He added: ‘The survey sample always exceeds 1,000 people with quotas on age, gender, social class, and region.
‘The most recent of these surveys was conducted in August 2023 and shows continued and positive increases across the vast majority of metrics.’