Defence Forces pay

THE Department for Defence and the Government needs to act fast and begin increasing the salaries of low ranking soldiers in the Defences Forces, in order to boost moral and stop the massive exodus of soldiers leaving every year, according to local Fine Gael Area Representative, Blaine Gaffney.

Speaking at the ‘Young Fine Gael National Conference’ 2018 in Co. Tipperary last week, Mr Gaffney called for the Minister for Defence Paul Kehoe to introduce an immediate increase in funding for lower ranking members of the Irish Defence Forces as a matter of urgency.

“The Defence Forces was successful in recruiting 750 personnel in 2017.

“However, an unprecedented 700 left the military during the same year, which meant a net gain of only 50 recruits. How is this credible?” he asked.