The current strength of the Naval Service has fallen to less than 880, whereas it should be 1,094. Some Defence Forces personnel have been assigned to desk duties in Rome with the mission known as EU NAVFOR Irini. Tánaiste Simon Coveney recently commented that previous missions in the Mediterranean Sea were great for retention of personnel in the Naval Service. It added that 48 personnel have been discharged from the Naval Service so far this year. PDForra president, Mark Keane, said the ongoing manpower crisis results from “a vicious cycle of the conditions not meeting the value of the work undertaken" by Naval Service personnel.

Source: Irish Examiner June 19, 2020 14:26 UTC