CALL US 0598640287 mark.wall@oir.ie
Senator Mark Wall
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Are you registered to Vote?
  • Contact
Contact Us
  • Home
  • /
  • Uncategorized
  • /
  • Delivery of Defence Commission report will determine its success

Delivery of Defence Commission report will determine its success

February 9, 2022 markwalllabour@gmail.com No Comments Uncategorized

Mark Wall

09 February 2022

• Issues with pay, allowances, retention and recruitment must be addressed to deliver on Defence objectives.
• Housing accommodation and healthcare key concerns for personnel as part of the overall package of supports.

Labour Party spokesperson on Defence, Senator Mark Wall, has welcomed the long awaited report from the Commission on the Defence Forces but warned that delivery will be the judge of it’s success, and he also said that HR related issues around retention and training must be resolved if we are to meet those objectives.

Commenting on the report, Senator Wall stated:

“Recently in the Seanad in advance of the report the Minister described this as a watershed moment for our Defence Forces. There can be no turning back but the success of this long awaited report will be in its delivery and impact on those that serve. It will take some time to consider all the findings, but clearly change is needed, especially cultural change to address ongoing and longstanding concerns of serving and retired personnel.

“We welcome the emphasis on personnel in the report and in particular the recommendation that the representative associations should be allowed affiliate with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, an outcome that the Labour Party have been calling for over many years. For serving members getting rid of “free labour”, rigorously enforcing the working time directive with appropriate compensation for those who work longer hours and secondly the emphasis placed on the needs of women, carers, and young men who want flexible and remote working opportunities must be delivered on.

“While core pay was outside the remit of the Commission, the recommendation to introduce an ongoing review of existing specialist pay rates and allowances with the power to make recommendations and adjustments is critical to the future of our Defence Forces, as are the recommendations on healthcare, housing and medical services.

“We would have liked to see more of an emphasis on accommodation for those who enlist and serve, this is an issue for retention of those that serve given the crisis in housing at this time. Retention is the most important factor in securing our Defence Forces into the future.

“The report outlines three tiers of ‘Level of Ambition’ options which in effect are just two as the first option is a do nothing scenario which in our opinion is not an option at all. While much further consideration of the report is needed, LOA2 enhanced capability appears as the most viable immediate path forward.

“As we read through the report the Commission are recommending an increase of €500 million in Defence spending in the short term which would allow for additional personnel, and for the purchase and running of primary and coastal radar. It would allow for acceleration of the much needed upgrade of our naval fleet and the important work they must carry out for us in fisheries protection and border protection.

“Such a commitment would allow for an increase in the number of helicopters and finally see the purchase of an ‘all of government use’ fixed wing plane that could be used by a number of different departments and lessen our reliance on neighbouring and friendly assistance with humanitarian flights, foreign aid assistance and emergency supplies.

“We hope this report will begin to value our serving personnel , an aim it has set out to do, we need to enhance our surveillance in order to protect our borders by monitoring and detecting threats.

“This report has given the State multiple reasons for investing in our Defence Forces, those of us who had dealt with serving personnel know that investment must be forthcoming, We must have those who are serving at the centre of this conversation and their representative associations must be part of the rollout of this report.

“Finally, in relation to former members the establishment of an “Office of Veteran Affairs” to assist and support retired personnel is a landmark decision and finally recognises the responsibility we have for our people long after they leave service.”

Share:
prev post next post

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts

  • 8/3/23 – Silent Sidelines
  • 8/3/23 – Energy Prices
  • Silent Sidelines campaign needed to stop referee abuse
  • CONFUSION OVER EVICTION BAN HIGHLIGHTS GOVERNMENT HOUSING FAILURE
  • Short hop zone update: Rail travel Kildare

Recent Comments

    Categories

    • ADHD (2)
    • Athy (4)
    • Autism (5)
    • Castledermot (1)
    • Childcare (4)
    • Community (4)
    • Defence Forces (1)
    • Education (8)
    • Energy Prices (1)
    • Family (7)
    • GAA (2)
    • Housing (3)
    • Kildare County Council (1)
    • Medication (1)
    • Pension (1)
    • Public Transport (2)
    • Soccer (1)
    • Social Welfare (2)
    • South Kildare (4)
    • Tourism (1)
    • Transport (6)
    • Uncategorized (107)

    Recent Posts

    • 8/3/23 – Silent Sidelines

      March 12, 2023
    • 8/3/23 – Energy Prices

      March 12, 2023
    • Silent Sidelines campaign needed to stop

      March 6, 2023

    Archives

    • March 2023
    • February 2023
    • January 2023
    • December 2022
    • November 2022
    • October 2022
    • September 2022
    • July 2022
    • June 2022
    • February 2022
    • January 2022
    • December 2021
    • November 2021
    • October 2021
    • September 2021
    • July 2021
    • June 2021
    • May 2021
    • April 2021
    • December 2020
    • November 2020
    • October 2020
    • September 2020
    • August 2020
    • January 2019
    • December 2018
    • November 2018
    • October 2018
    • August 2018
    • July 2018
    • June 2018
    • May 2018
    • April 2018
    • March 2018
    • February 2018
    • January 2018
    • December 2017
    • November 2017
    • October 2017
    • September 2017

    Meta

    • Log in
    • Entries feed
    • Comments feed
    • WordPress.org
    Footer logo

    Spokesperson on Defence, Tourism and Sport. Working for you, your family and your community

    CONTACT US

    If you have any issue concerning you please contact us

    Address: Office 15, Leinster Street, Athy
    Phone: 0598640287
    Mobile: 0833341488
    Email : mark.wall@oir.ie

    Twitter

    Facebook

    Website Design by Irish web services. All rights reserved

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Manage consent

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
    CookieDurationDescription
    cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
    cookielawinfo-checbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
    cookielawinfo-checbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
    cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
    viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
    Functional
    Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
    Performance
    Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
    Analytics
    Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
    Advertisement
    Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
    Others
    Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
    SAVE & ACCEPT