merrion street

The Minister of State for Defence Mr Paul Kehoe,T.D., today (Wednesday 5

October 2011) addressed the Annual Delegate Conference of the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association, (PDFORRA), at the Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone, Co. Westmeath.

Speaking at the Conference Minister Kehoe commended the diversity in Defence Force capabilities which he said "was well displayed over the past twelve months when we saw the major contribution of the Defence Forces during the historic State visit of Queen Elizabeth the second and the visit of President Obama, during the severe weather in November and December 2010 and with the recent return to the Lebanon." The Minister referred to the contribution that Irish Defence Force is making in the international arena with Ireland contributing 524 personnel to 11 different missions throughout the world. He confirmed that "the Government is committed to maintain a significant overseas presence within the available resources and capabilities of the Defence Forces."

He commented on the current economic difficulities the country is now experiencing and he referred to the measures being taken by the Government to consolidate the public finances. He mentioned the Comprehensive Spending Review which is underway in all Government Departments at present and he said that "The outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review will determine the future resource envelope available for Defence."

Commenting on the restrictions on recruitment to the public service generally he referred to comments made by Minister Shatter on a number of occasions when he [Minister Shatter] stated that, he is committed to maintaining both the capabilities of the Defence Force and its operational capacity, within the constraints of the resources available.

The Minister stated that the implementation of the Croke Park Agreement "is a key objective of the Government". He mentioned the opportunity that the Defence Forces have to lead and change through rationalisation, restructuring and reorganisation right across the Defence organisation. In referring to the proposed reorganization of the Defence Forces, he assured the conference that the objective of the Minister "is to ensure that that there are sufficient frontline personnel properly supported so that the Defence Forces can continue to meet all their obligations at home and overseas."

The Minister concluded by wishing the delegates every success with the remainder of the conference and he said that he looked forward to working with the Association into the future.