Defence Forces veterans to hold national protest in Cork
Defence Forces veterans are set to hold a national march in Cork on May Day to highlight poor pay and conditions endured by serving members of the military.
It will be the second national march organised by veterans following one last September when thousands of ex-soldiers, sailors and aircrews protested outside the Dáil.
Noel O'Callaghan, a retired regimental sergeant major, who is organising the 'Respect and Loyalty Parade' said the government is continuing to ignore the fact that poor pay and conditions are the root cause of why so many are quitting the Defence Forces.
He said serving members, who are the poorest paid public servants, have received no pay restoration and continue to perform 24-hour duties for 64 cents an hour after tax.
"They continue to be denied the EU Work Time Directive, or access by representation bodies RACO & PDFORRA to the Labour Courts," Mr O'Callaghan said.
The exodus of trained and experienced Defence Force members continues. There was an average of 53 a month in 2018 - 55 in January of this year.
"The Minister for Defence Leo Varadkar will tell you there is no money for pay restoration for the Defence Forces. Yet there is money for huge pay increases, expenses, pensions etc for TDs, senators and councillors," Mr O'Callaghan said.
It is expected that a large contingent from the lobby group Wives & Partners of the Defence Forces (WPDF) will also join the Cork parade.
Mr O'Callaghan said there was plenty of money in the Department of Defence budget. But he said millions of euro is being diverted away from increasing pay and used instead to buy equipment.
"They can have all equipment they want, but it's meaningless and a waste of taxpayers' money if they don't have the soldiers, sailors and airmen to use the equipment," Mr O'Callaghan said.
He pointed to a survey showing there continues to be a very high level of trust in the Defence Forces, with a score of 82%. "This is by far the highest of all public sector bodies, and also well above the EU average for armed forces. We hope that the Public Service Pay Commission will take note of the opinion of the Irish public and reward their loyalty and professionalism," the former soldier added.
Mr O'Callaghan added that ex-servicemen are mounting the parade because serving members are not allowed to take part in such protests.
