LAST UPDATE | 13 May

DESPITE EFFORTS TO stem the flow of personnel leaving the Defence Forces the exodus continues and there is a need for a rethink on pay to stop it, the President of a military representative group has said. 

Mark Keane, who is the outgoing President of PDFORRA, which represents non-commissioned ranks of the Irish Defence Forces, was speaking ahead of the opening of the group’s annual conference in Killarney today.

Keane, who is a member of the Irish Naval Service, said that there should be no doubt about why there is a retention crisis and he said cause of it is a failure to honour the experience of long service troops.

“The exodus of experienced personnel from across the Defence Forces is not a mystery, and indeed is the result of poor pay and conditions and a failure to recognise long service of our members.

“Pay restoration, we believe is not a luxury, but a necessity,” he said. 

Keane said that a proposal to introduce a new rank of Lance Corporal, which has previously been promised by Government, should also happen as a matter of urgency. 

The Lance Corporal is a non-commissioned officer rank and was a key recommendation in the Commission on the Defence Forces. It would enable young soldiers to progress earlier in their career from the rank of three star private.

“We are again calling on the Minister for the introduction of long service increments, and also the introduction of a Lance Corporal rank, which was catered for within the government’s own Commission on the Future of the Defence Forces.

“We believe this will offer a career milestone and help stem the tide of personnel leaving, and also aid in retention.

“Long service increments are vital, we believe, as a way of recognising our members’ commitment and indeed expertise, we must now reward longevity with pay that reflects the depth of of experience and leadership that these people continue to display and have displayed over many, many years,” he added.

Here at the Annual Delegate Conference for @pdforra - I spoke to the association’s president Mark Keane. pic.twitter.com/XYnwfMDYYS

— Niall O’Connor (@NiallJournal_ie) May 13, 2025

Keane said the goals of PDFORRA for this year’s delegate conference is to call for a plan to be laid out by Defence Forces leadership.

“We want to see a clear road map to stabilise and strengthen retention across the three arms of the Defence Forces, within the Naval Service, Army and Air Corps.

“I firmly believe that this Annual Delegate Conference is not just about resolutions, but about results – we owe it to our members and indeed the Defence Forces to ensure that their service is valued. Progression is possible within the Defence Forces and their unwavering commitment to the state should be rewarded,” Keane added. 

Delegates from across the Army, Navy and Air Corps, will meet in the Gleneagle hotel in Killarney, Co. Kerry for the three day event.

A new President of the group will also be elected during the conference.

Defence Minister Simon Harris is scheduled to attend today with the incoming Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Brigadier General Rossa Mulcahy, to also speak on Wednesday. He will take over from Lt General Seán Clancy in June.

The Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Simon Harris will announce today plans to extend Ireland’s involvement in the Peacekeeping Mission in Southern Lebanon by a further 12 months.

In his keynote speech to the PDFORRA Conference in Killarney, Simon Harris will confirm that he intends to bring a memo to Cabinet to renew Ireland’s mandate to participate in the UNIFIL Mission.

Ireland currently has the longest unbroken peacekeeping record of any country in the world with some 340 troops currently deployed with the 125th Infantry Battalion.

“By re-committing to the UNIFIL mission, Ireland is sending out a clear message that we support peace, we value stability, and we care about the people and communities of Southern Lebanon.

“It also demonstrates our commitment to continuing Ireland’s proud peacekeeping record, now the longest unbroken record held by any country in the world,” will say.

Also Harris will tell delegates that the Irish Government will continue to fight for justice for Private Seán Rooney.

More than 100 delegates representing members from over 40 Districts across the country will debate 71 Motions and 13 Constitutional amendments.