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Defence Forces Annual Report 2005
Defence Forces Annual Report 2005
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005
Roles assigned by Government to the Defence Forces
1. To defend the State against armed aggression.
2. To aid the Civil Power.
3. To participate in multinational peace support, crisis management and humanitarian relief operations in support of the United Nations and under UN mandate, including regional security missions authorised by the UN.
4. To provide a fishery protection service in accordance with the State’s obligations as a member of the European Union.
5. To carry out such other duties as may be assigned from time to time.
The Minister for Defence
Mr. Willie O’Dea T.D.
Defence Forces ANNUAL REPORT 2005
�
Contents
Statement by the Chief of Staff 2
Defence Overview 6
Introduction 6
Mandate 7
DefenceForcesHeadquartersandCommandArrangements 7
DefencePolicy 7
OrganisationalStructures 8
Defence Forces Mission Statement 10
Mission �0
Roles �0
DefenceForcesStrategicGoals �0
Strategic Goal 1:ToenhancetheDefenceForcescapabilityin �2
contributingtothesecurityoftheState.
Strategic Goal 2:Torecruit,develop,motivateandsustain 28
effectivehumanresourcestosupportthedelivery
ofmilitarycapabilityanddefenceoutputs.
Strategic Goal 3:Toparticipateinmultinationalpeacesupport, 42
crisismanagementandhumanitarianreliefoperations.
Strategic Goal 4:Toprovideemergencyandnon-emergency 56
servicestoGovernmentBodies.
Financial Report 64
Statement by the Chief of Staff
2
IampleasedtopresenttheAnnualReportforthe
DefenceForces2005.
During2005theDefenceForcescontinuedto
deliveroperationsbothathomeandoverseaswhile
transforminganddevelopinggreateroperational
capabilityinkeepingwiththeWhitePaperonDefence
2000,theDepartmentofDefenceStrategyStatement
2005-2007andtheDefenceForcesStrategyStatement
2005-2007.
Performance MeasurementThereportthatfollowsgivesanaccountoftheDefence
Forcesperformancefor2005.SincetheDefence
Forcesarelargelycontingencybased,measurementof
performanceisbasedasmuchonpotentialtodeliver
ifcalledupon,asonactualoperationsdelivered.This
potential,whichisreferredtoasthecontingentbased
capability,withitsdeterrenteffect,isanoutputin
itself,contributingtothedesiredoutcomeofsecurity
andstabilityintheState.Measurementofthisoutput
presentsaconsiderablechallenge,notleastbecauseof
thedifficultyofmeasuringdeterrenteffects,butalso
becausethiscontingentcapabilityprovidesthepool
fromwhichpersonnelandequipmentaredrawn,on
anongoingbasis,forthedeliveryofotheroutputse.g.
PeaceSupportOperations.
With70%oftheDefenceForcesbudgetgoingtowards
personnel,theprimaryresourceforthedeliveryof
outputsispersonnelcosts.Howeverbecauseoneofthe
greatstrengthsoftheDefenceForcesliesinourmulti-
skilling/multi-taskingapproachitisextremelydifficult
tocostspecificprogrammesoroutputs.Forexample
personneldeployedonPresidentialceremoniesinthe
morningmaywellbeonapeacesupportexerciseor
othertrainingexerciseintheafternoonofthesame
day;thesergeantclerkemployedatDefenceForces
Headquarterswillalsoberequiredtoperformrostered
securitydutiesatnightandatweekendsanddeploy
overseaswhenrequired.Furthermorepersonnel
trainedinaparticularskill,forthesecurityofthe
State,mayhavetoreceiverefreshertraininginthisskill
foranoverseasmissionorindeedforanATCPmission
Defence Forces ANNUAL REPORT 2005
�
makingitextremelydifficulttoapportiontraining
costsagainstparticulargoals.Delegationoffinancial
authoritytotheDefenceForces,whileconsiderable,is
notinlinewithspecificgoals,programmesoroutputs.
Itisagainstthisbackgroundthatthisperformance
reportisframedyetdespitetheseconstraints
considerableprogresshasbeenachievedoverprevious
yearsincapturingperformanceagainsttargetsand
objectives.TheintroductionofthenewManagement
InformationFramework,whichwentliveinJanuary
2006,willprovidefurtherpossibilitiestorefineour
measurementofperformanceagainstDefenceForces
KeyPerformanceIndicatorsandmoreimportantlyto
improveourperformancestandards.
International TerrorismThedomesticresponsibilitiesoftheDefenceForces
centreonthethreatfrominternationalterrorism,
supportingAnGardaSíochána(ATCPtasks)andother
tasksasdirectedbyGovernment.Thefirstlineof
defenceagainstinternationalterrorismliesingood
intelligence.Whilenothingemergedduringtheyear
whichwouldindicateanythingotherthanlowrisk,
neverthelesswehavecontinuedtodevelopmilitary
intelligence,refineourintelligenceprocessesand
proceduresandenhanceourcooperationwithother
agenciesbothnationalandinternational.Inregardto
theconsequencemanagementofaterroristincident,
wehavecontinuedtoplaceemphasisonourcapability
todealwithincidentsofaChemical,Biological,
RadiologicalorNuclear(CBRN)nature.Ouraimisto
provideacapabilityineachofthethreeBrigades,East,
SouthandWestandthisexpertisewillbeavailablefor
bothhomeandoverseas.
Peacekeeping OperationsTheyear2005markedthe50thanniversaryofIreland
joiningtheUNorganisationandmuchreflectionand
debatecentredontheDefenceForcescontributionto
peacekeepingintheperiodsincethen�.Incontrast
totheearlydays,todaythevastmajorityofpeace
supportmissionsareunderChapterVIIoftheCharter
–peaceenforcementmissions.Whileourrecent
equipmentacquisitionsforthenewchallengeshave
beenwelldocumented,ofequalimportanceare
thechangeswehavemadeindoctrineandtraining.
Doctrinalchangesincludetherequirementtoensure
alltroopsdeployedareabletomakethetransition
fromlowtohighspectrumoperationsasthesituation
requires,understandthecomplexityofthecivil-
militarydimensionofoperationsandareculturally
awareoftheareasintowhichtheydeploy.Allofthese
aspectsareassessedonmissionspecificreadiness
exercisesbeforedeployment.
Operationstodayarebasedontheselective
deploymentofpersonnel,basedongoodintelligence
andawareness.Thiscallsforimprovedmeansof
reconnaissanceandsurveillanceandimprovedmeans
ofprocessingandpassingontheinformationgathered.
Inkeepingwiththesedevelopmentsweinitiated
aprogrammefortheprocurementofarmoured
reconnaisanceandsurveillancevehicleswithstateof
theartsurveillancecapabilitiesandremoteweapon
firingstationstoensuremaximumcrewprotectionand
safety.ThesevehiclesarebasedontheMOWAGAPC
platforminservice,thusgivingeconomiesintermsof
maintenanceandsparepartsholdings.Doctrinefor
theuseofthesevehiclesisbeingdevelopedbywayof
CommandPostexercisesusingtherecentlyacquired
simulatorattheDefenceForcesTrainingCentre.The
deployableheadquartersunitspurchasedduring2005,
equippedwiththemostmoderncommunications
suites,willprovidethehubwhereinformationis
assembled,processedandactiondecided.Inthepast
yeartheAirCorpstookdeliveryofthenewEC��5
helicopterwhich,alongwithAW��9helicopterduefor
deliveryin2006and2007,willbeincreasinglyusedin
Armyoperationsandintegratedintotheinformation
network.
TheGovernmentcommitmentofprovidingupto850
personneltoUNauthorisedpeaceoperationsatany
onetimeisawellpublicisedandunderstoodfigure.
Giventhevaryingdeploymentschedules,thismeans
� AspecialcommemorativeeditionofAnCosantóir,theDefenceForcesmagazinewaspublishedtomarktheoccasion(AnCosantóir,Vol65,No.7,
UNSpecial2005).
44
thatduring2005,2,204personnelservedoverseasfor
somepartoftheyear.Inadditionpersonnelundergo
approximatelythreemonthsmissionspecifictraining
beforedeploymentandspecialleaveforonemonth
onreturn.Iwouldliketopaytributetoallwhoserved
overseasandwhilethereportdealsinsomedetailwith
themainmissionsinLiberia,KosovoandBosnia&
Herzegovina,Iwouldliketopaytributetothosewho
servedinKabul(ISAF),AcehMonitoringMission(AMM
Indonesia),SriLanka(UNJointLogisticsCentre–post
tsunami)andSudan(AMISII),aswellasthosewho
continuedtoserveinsmallnumbersinothermissions.
Human Resource ManagementInregardtotheeducationofourpersonnel,two
significantdevelopmentstookplacein2005.Itwas
decidedtowidenthebaseforentrytoOfficerCadet
Schoolbyofferingmorefavourableconditionstoboth
graduatesandenlistedpersonnel.Inlinewiththis
thecadetcoursewasstreamlinedandshortenedand
graduateswereofferedtherankof�stLieutenanton
commissioning.Theagelimitwasincreasedandbonus
marksweregiventoservingsoldierspresentingfor
interview.Thenewarrangementswereagreedwith
theRepresentativeAssociations,implementedandare
provingaconsiderablesuccess.
ThechangingnatureofPeaceSupportOperationshas
requiredthatseniorofficershaveagreaterknowledge
oftheoperationallevelofoperations.Amajorstudy
resultedinthere-orientationoftheCommandand
Staff(C&S)coursefromthetacticaltotheoperational
levelinkeepingwithtoday’sneedsandtrendsand
therequirementforinteroperabilitywithourEUand
UNpeacekeepingpartners.Thenewarrangements
cameintoeffectforthe62ndC&Scourse,which
commencedinSeptember2005.
Inanorganisationwherethereisaconstantturnover
ofpersonnel,wheretheoperationaldemands
requirenewskillsandcapabilitiesonanongoing
basisandwherethevolunteerethosforoverseas
serviceisadheredto,thedemandsonthetraining
infrastructureareenormous.Thisreportoutlines
performanceagainsttargetssetoutintheAnnual
TrainingPlan.Iwouldliketopayaspecialtributeto
theOfficerandNCOinstructorsinourunits,formations
andtheDefenceForcesTrainingCentre,whohave
continuedtoshowgreatcommitment,enthusiasmand
professionalisminmeetingtheincreasingdemands
beingplacedonthem.
Peacekeeping DevelopmentsTheIrishapproachtopeacekeepingishighlyacclaimed
internationallyandwiththeaimofdevelopingour
approachanumberofinitiativeswereundertaken.
TheLeadershipCentreattheUnitedNationsTraining
SchoolIreland(UNTSI),whichwasinitiatedin2004,
wasfurtherdevelopedandanumberofseminars
forofficersandNCOswereconducted.Theseshort
seminarsarebasedonself-developmentandallow
forreflectionanddiscussiononleadershipissues
ontoday’sPeaceSupportOperations.Acentreof
excellenceinInternationalHumanitarianLawand
LOAC(LawofArmedConflict)wasestablishedduring
2005.TenDFpersonnelqualifiedastrainerson
theinternationalinstructorscourseconductedat
UNTSIbytheUNOfficeoftheHighCommissioner
forHumanRightsandthetraininghasbeenrolled
outtoDFpersonnelaswellasengagingwiththe
NationalUniversityofIrelandMaynoothontheir
internationalcourse.Employmentofmilitaryresources
andcompetencies(CIMIC)inconflictandpostconflict
situationsisanotherareaofgrowthinternationallybut
withouttotalagreementontheconcept.TheDefence
Forcesapproachistorespectfullythehumanitarian
spaceandroleofUN,Governmentandregional
5
Defence Forces ANNUAL REPORT 2005
5
agenciesaswellasNGOs.Irishpersonnelhave,during
2005,obtainedthehighestUNqualificationsinthe
areaofCIMICandindeedsomeofourpersonnel
werecalledontoaddresstheUN’sOfficeforthe
CoordinationofHumanitarianAffairsadvancedCIMIC
Course.Itisintendedtobuildfurtheronthiskey
elementofourpeacekeepingmodusoperandi.
ExercisesTheincreaseddemandsofoperationscontinueto
presentgreaterdemandsintermsofliveexercising
whichmustberealisticandrobust.Regrettablyduring
2005theCavalryCorpslostoneofitsfinestyoung
troopers,JamesDillionwhowaskilledduringan
exerciseattheCurragh.TrooperDillionwasafine
youngsoldierandgreatcomradecomingfromaproud
militaryfamily.Iwouldliketoconveyonbehalfofthe
DefenceForcesourdeepestsympathyandcondolences
tohisfamilyandfriends.GoraibhrathDéaraanam.
Air Corps – Naval ServiceTheAirCorpsandNavalServicecontinuedtomeet
theirrolesnotleastintheareaoffisheryprotection.
BothNavalServicepatroldaysandAirCorpsflying
hourshaveincreasedconsiderablyovertheprevious
year.InthecaseoftheNavalService,2005marked
thecompletionofafive-yearimplementationplan
forimprovedpatrollingactivity,whichshowsa52%
increaseinpatroldaysatsea.
ReserveMembersoftheReserveDefenceForcehaveseen
significantchange,during2005,withthecompletion
ofPhaseIoftheReserveDefenceForce’sReview
ImplementationPlan.Theceremonyonthe�st
OctobermarkingthelaunchoftheReserveDefence
Force(RDF)andthedisestablishmentofAnFCÁ
andAnSluaMuirírepresentsasignificantstepin
therestructuringoftheRDF.Thenewlyestablished
structureoftheRDFmirrorsthestructureofthe
PermanentDefenceForce(PDF),whichenhancesits
abilitytosupportthePDFinitscontingencydefence
rolesinanemergency,asprovidedforintheWhite
PaperonDefence2000.Significantchangenever
comeseasilyandwithouttheprofessionalismand
dedicationoftheofficers,andenlistedpersonnelof
AnFCÁandAnSluaMuirí,thisrestructuringcouldnot
havetakenplaceasefficientlyasitdid.Iwanttoput
onrecordmysincerethankstoallformermembersof
AnFCÁandAnSluaMuiríwhogavesuchmagnificent
servicedownthroughtheyearsandalsotothosewho
continuetoservewithusinthenewRDForganisation.
ConclusionInconclusionIwouldliketothankourMinisterfor
DefenceMr.WillieO’DeaTDforhisongoingleadership
andsupportthroughouttheyearandIwouldalsolike
tothanktheSecretaryGeneralandthecivilianstaff
oftheDepartmentfortheircontinuedcooperation
andsupport.Iwouldliketothankthemembersof
thepublicfortheirgreatsupportofourworkbothat
homeandoverseas.AboveallIwanttothankthemen
andwomenofÓglaighnahÉireannwhocontinuedto
moderniseandtransformourforcewhilecontinuingto
makeavaluablecontributiontopeaceandsecurityon
behalfofIrelandinatroubledworld.
JimSreenan
Lieutenant General
Chief of Staff
Defence Overview
6
IntroductionTheWhitePaperonDefence2000emphasisedthe
needtoensurethatIrelandhasconventionally
organisedDefenceForces,whichareaffordableand
sustainable,andwhicharecapableofcarryingout
therolesassignedbyGovernment.Italsoassessed
theprevailingnationalandinternationalsecurity
environmentsandmappedoutarestructuringprocess
fortheDefenceForces.
SincethepublicationoftheWhitePaperonDefence
2000thegeneralsecurityenvironmenthaschanged
considerablynotleastwiththeattacksofthe��thof
September200�inNewYork,��thofMarch2004
inMadridand7thand2�stofJuly2005inLondon.
Theseeventshavehighlightedaglobalterroristthreat
bringingwithittheneedformeasurestodetect
anddisruptthethreatandtherequirementfor‘
consequencemanagement’inrelationtoterrorist
incidents.TheagreementoftheEuropeanSecurity
StrategyaswellasdevelopmentsinEuropeanSecurity
andDefencePolicy,includingtheHeadlineGoal20�0
alsoimpactonthecurrentsecurityenvironment.
Notwithstandingthesedevelopments,thekey
objectivesmappedoutintheWhitePaperonDefence
2000remainvalid.
n Toprovidealightinfantry-basedforcewithan
appropriatelevelofall-armscapability;
n Toprovidesufficientforcesandcapabilitiesto
meetneedsathomeandtomakeasignificant
contributionabroad;
n Toputinplaceamorecohesiveandbetter-
equippedforcethanexistedin2000;
n Toprovidesignificantadditionalresourcesfor
equipmentandinfrastructurebroadlywithinthe
existingleveloffinancialallocation.
TheDefenceForcesthroughitsStrategyStatement
2005-2007aimstoimproveitscapacitytodeliveron
allcoreactivities,whileatthesametimefulfilling
theotherrolesassignedbyGovernmentefficiently
andeffectively.Thestatementoutlinedfourrealistic,
attainablebutchallengingstrategicgoalstobe
progressedduringthelifetimeofthestatement.
Themainpartofthisreportdescribestheprogress
achievedineachofthefourstrategicgoalsduring
2005,whilethefinalpartdealswiththefinancial
allocationsassociatedwiththeDefenceVoteforthe
reportingyear.
Mandate
Constitutional and Legislative Basisfor the Defence ForcesTheConstitutionofIrelandexclusivelyveststheright
toraiseandmaintainmilitaryandarmedforcesin
theOireachtasandexpresslyprohibitstheraising
andmaintenanceofanyotherforceforanypurpose
whatsoever.TheOireachtasenactedtheDefenceAct,
�954astheprimarylegislativeinstrumentfromwhich
theDefenceForces(Óglaigh na hÉireann)derivesits
legislativestandingpursuanttotheConstitution.
TheDefenceActhasbeenthesubjectofseveral
amendments;mostrecently,theDefenceAmendment
Actof�998,whichprovidesforthere-organisation
ofterritorialboundariesandtheDefenceForces
Headquartersorganisation.
Defence Forces Headquarters and Command
Arrangements
ThemilitaryelementoftheDepartmentofDefence
consistsofaDefenceForcesHeadquarters,which
isheadedbytheChiefofStaff.TheChiefofStaffis
directlyresponsibletotheMinisterfortheoverall
managementoftheDefenceForces,including
responsibilityfortheeffectiveness,efficiency,military
organisationandeconomyoftheDefenceForces.The
ChiefofStaffistheprincipalmilitaryadvisertothe
MinisterforDefence.Legislativeprovisionenablesthe
ChiefofStafftodelegatedutiestotheDeputyChiefof
Staff(Operations)andDeputyChiefofStaff(Support).
MilitarycommandisdelegatedbytheMinisterdirectly
totheGeneralOfficersCommanding(GOCs)ineachof
thethreeterritorialbrigades(Southern,Eastern,and
Western),totheGOCsoftheDefenceForcesTraining
CentreandtheAirCorpsandtotheFlagOfficer
CommandingtheNavalService.Eachoftheseofficers
isresponsibletotheMinisterfortheexerciseofthe
commanddelegatedtohim.Inpractice,mattersin
relationtocommandarechannelledthroughthe
ChiefofStaff.Ineffect,thismeansthatday-to-day
operationalcontroloftheDefenceForcesrestswith
theChiefofStaffforwhichheisdirectlyresponsibleto
theMinister.
Defence Forces ANNUAL REPORT 2005
7
General
Officer
Commanding
�SBde
General
Officer
Commanding
2EBde
General
Officer
Commanding
4WBde
General
Officer
Commanding
DFTC
GeneralOfficer
Commanding
Air
Corps
FlagOfficer
Commanding
theNaval
Service
ChiefofStaff
MinisterforDefence
Figure�.�DefenceForcesCommandArrangements.
TheChiefofStaffisdirectly
responsibletotheMinisterforthe
overallmanagementoftheDefence
Forces.Day-to-dayoperational
controloftheDefenceForcesrests
withChiefofStaffforwhichheis
directlyresponsibletotheMinister.
TheMinisterforDefenceMr.WillieO’DeaT.D.addressesthetroopswhileona
recentvisittoKosovo.During2005atotalof2,204soldiersservedoverseasfor
somepartoftheyear.
8
Defence Policy
TheState’sdefencepolicyissetoutintheWhitePaperon
Defence2000.Thispolicyisstatedwithaviewtoensuring
anappropriatelevelofdefencecapabilityhavingregard
tothechangingdefenceandsecurityenvironmentbothat
homeandabroad.Thedefenceandsecurityenvironment
isanalysedintheDefenceForcesStrategyStatement
2005-2007asarethenewchallengesarising,includingthe
developmentoftheEuropeanSecurityandDefencePolicy.
TheAgreedProgrammeforGovernment,publishedinJune
2002,alsooutlinestheGovernment’scommitmentsinthe
areaofDefence.
Organisational StructureTheDefenceForcesareorganisedonconventionalmilitary
linesprovidingasufficientlyflexiblestructuretocarry
outalltherolesassignedbyGovernment.TheDefence
ForcesconsistofaPermanentDefenceForce(PDF)and
aReserveDefenceForce(RDF).Theformerisastanding
forceandprovidestheprimarycapabilitiesforjoint
militaryoperationsathomeandcombinedmilitarypeace
supportoperationsabroad.TheRDFprovidesthenecessary
contingentconventionalmilitarycapabilitytoaugment
andassistthePDF,whennecessary.DefenceForces
Headquartersactsasthestrategicheadquartersforthe
Army,AirCorpsandNavalService,andastheoperational
controllingheadquartersfortheArmy.
AirCorpsoperationalHeadquartersisatCasement
Aerodrome,BaldonnelandNavalServiceHeadquartersis
atHaulbowline,CoCork.
Permanent Defence ForceThePermanentDefenceForceconsistsoftheArmy,theAir
CorpsandtheNavalService.
Army
TheArmyisstructuredintothreeall-armsbrigades,
consistingofcombat,combatsupportandcombatservice
supportelements.Eachbrigadeisdesignatedaterritorial
areaofresponsibility,specificgarrisonlocationsanda
recruitmentarea.
TheDefenceForcesTrainingCentre(DFTC)andDefence
ForcesLogisticsBaseattheCurraghsupportthetraining
andlogisticsfunctionsforthePermanentandtheReserve
DefenceForces.8
NAVAL SERVICE
Figure 1.2 Brigade and formation Geographic Deployments
9
Air Corps
TheAirCorps,basedatCasementAerodrome,
Baldonnel,consistsofanoperationalheadquarters,
twooperationalwings,twosupportwings,anAir
CorpsTrainingCollege,andaCommunicationand
InformationServicesSquadron.Theoperationalwings
consistofatraining/lightstrikesquadron;helicopter
squadrons;amaritimesquadron;atransportsquadron
andafixedwingreconnaissancesquadron.The
supportwingsaretaskedwithspecialistmaintenance
oftheaircraftfleet.
Naval Service
TheNavalService,basedinHaulbowline,Co.Cork,has
aflotillaofeightships,anoperationalheadquarters,
anoperationscommand,alogisticalsupportcommand
andaNavalServiceCollege.Theflotillaconsistsofa
helicopterpatrolvesselsquadron,largepatrolvessel
squadron,andanoffshorepatrolvesselsquadron.The
supportcommandisresponsibleforpersonnelandall
logistical,engineering,andmaintenancefunctions.
Reserve Defence ForceTheReserveDefenceForce(RDF)isatpresent
undergoingPhaseIIoftheReserveDefenceForces
ReviewImplementationPlan(RDFRIP),PhaseIhaving
beencompletedwiththelaunchoftheReserve
DefenceForceon�stOctober2005.During2005,RDF
unitswererationalisedandamalgamatedtofacilitate
thenewstructure.TheRDFisorganisedintoaFirst
LineReserveandaSecondLineReserve.
TheFirstLineReservecomprisesformermembersof
thePDFandtheSecondLineReservecomprisesan
ArmyReserveandaNavalServiceReserve.
Army Reserve
TheArmyReservewillbeorganisedintointegrated
andnonintegratedelements.Intotal,therearenine
reserveinfantrybattalionsandeighteencombat
supportandcombatservicesupportunits,withthree
airdefencebatteries.Areservebrigadeheadquarters
hasbeenestablishedineachPDFbrigadearea,
mirroringthePDFbrigadeheadquarters.
Naval Service Reserve
TheNavalServiceReserveisdividedintotwogroups
knownastheEasternGroupandtheSouthernGroup.
Eachgroupconsistsoftwocompanies:Dublinand
WaterfordintheEasternGroupandCorkandLimerick
intheSouthernGroup.
Defence Forces ANNUAL REPORT 2005
TheMinisterforDefenceMr.Willie
O’DeaT.D.andtheChiefofStaff
examinedecommissionedweapons
atanarmsstoragefacilitynear
Tuzla,whileonvisittoEUFOR.
MissionThemissionstatementidentifiesthecoreactivity
oftheDefenceForces,pointstoadiverserange
ofadditionaltasks,whichmaybeassignedby
Government,andemphasisestheimportanceof
DefenceForcespersonnelandtheneedforaflexible
operationalcapacity.
RolesTherolesassignedbyGovernmentare:
n TodefendtheStateagainstarmedaggression;
thisbeingacontingency,preparationsforits
implementationwilldependonanongoing
Governmentassessmentofthreats.
n ToaidtheCivilPower(meaninginpracticeto
assist,whenrequested,AnGardaSíochána,who
haveprimaryresponsibilityforlawandorder,
includingtheprotectionoftheinternalsecurityof
theState).
n Toparticipateinmultinationalpeacesupport,crisis
managementandhumanitarianreliefoperations
insupportoftheUnitedNationsandunderUN
mandate,includingregionalsecuritymissions
authorisedbytheUN.
n Toprovideafisheryprotectionservicein
accordancewiththeState’sobligationsasa
memberoftheEuropeanUnion.
n Tocarryoutsuchotherdutiesasmaybeassigned
tothemfromtimetotime,e.g.searchandrescue,
airambulanceservice,Ministerialairtransport
service,assistanceontheoccasionofnaturalor
otherdisasters,assistanceinconnectionwiththe
maintenanceofessentialservices,assistancein
combatingoilpollutionatsea.
Defence Forces Strategic GoalsTheDefenceForcespublisheditsmostrecentStrategy
Statement,DefenceForcesStrategyStatement2005
–2007,inNovember2005andforthepurposeofthis
annualreport,performanceduring2005will
bemeasuredagainsttheStrategicGoalsoutlinedin
Figure2.�.
“To contribute to the security of the State by providing for the military defence of its territorial integrity and to fulfil all roles assigned by Government, through the deployment of well-motivated and effective Defence Forces.”
Defence Forces Mission Statement
�0
Strategic Goal 1 ToenhancetheDefenceForcescapabilityincontributingtothesecurityoftheState.
Strategic Goal 2Torecruit,develop,motivateandsustaineffectivehumanresourcestosupportthe
deliveryofmilitarycapabilityanddefenceoutputs.
Strategic Goal 3Toparticipateinmultinationalpeacesupport,crisismanagementandhumanitarian
reliefoperations.
Strategic Goal 4 Toprovideemergencyandnon-emergencyservicestoGovernmentbodies.
Defence Forces ANNUAL REPORT 2005
��
Figure 2.1
ContextDefenceisacoreresponsibilityoftheStateandan
expressionofthenation’ssovereignty.Thefirstroleof
theDefenceForcesistodefendtheStateagainstarmed
aggression.ThesecurityoftheStatehasbothnational
andinternationalaspects,andtheactivitiesoftrans-
nationalterroristgroupsmustalsobeconsideredinthis
regard.TheWhitePaperemphasisedtheGovernment’s
commitmentandrequirementforthemaintenanceof
aversatileforcethatisequipped,organisedandtrained
alongconventionallinesandwhichcanparticipateina
broadspectrumofmilitaryandcivilsupportoperations.
Thischapterreportsonprogressachievedin2005
basedontheframeworkoftheDefenceForcesStrategy
Statement2005-2007andtheChiefofStaff’sAnnual
PlanfortheDefenceForces2005.
ProgressinachievingStrategicGoal�isoutlinedagainst
fiveObjectives,whichare:
�) Toprovidequalitymilitaryadviceandsupportto
theMinisterforDefence.
2) Toprovideaconventionalbasedmilitaryforceas
requiredbyGovernment.
�) Toeffectivelyaidthecivilpowerasrequiredin
maintainingstatesecurity.
4) Toenhancemilitarycapabilitythrougheffective
logistics,equipmentprocurement,management
andrelatedmaintenanceprogrammes.
5) Todevelopandmaintaininfrastructureand
facilitiestomeettheoperational,training,logistical
andadministrativeneedsoftheDefenceForces.
Military Advice and Support to the Minister for Defence TheChiefofStaffhasoverallresponsibilityforthe
economy,efficiencyandeffectivenessofmilitaryassets
includinghumanresources.TheChiefofStaffisthe
principalmilitaryadvisertotheMinisterforDefence
andprovidessupportintheformofinformation,
assessments,adviceandreportstothisend.This
includesthemilitaryassessmentofthreatstothe
StateandtothesecurityofDefenceForcespersonnel
deployedoverseas.Thetimelinessandqualityof
thissupportisofkeyimportanceanddependson
To enhance the Defence Forces capability in contributing to the security of the State
Strategic Goal 1
�2
DefenceForcesseniormilitaryleadershipandstaffs’
expertise,researchcapacityandeffectivemanagement
informationsystems.
The provision of defence and security assessments During2005,IntelligenceSectioncontinuedtoprovide
timelyandaccuratedefenceandsecurityassessments
totheMinisterforDefenceinrespectofStateSecurity
andthesafetyandsecurityofIrishForcesdeployed
overseasonPeaceSupportOperations.Monthly
IntelligenceSummariesareprovidedtotheMinister
forDefenceandthreatassessmentsandbriefingsare
providedasrequired.TheDefenceForcesintelligence
effortiscloselyharmonisedwiththatofAnGarda
Síochána.Figure�.�belowprovidesanoverviewofthe
numberofbriefingsandassessmentsprovidedduring
2005:
The development of Defence Forces Intelligence OrganisationIn2005theDefenceForcesmadeconsiderableprogress
intrainingpersonnelwiththeaimofincreasingour
effectiveintelligencecapability.Identifiedshortfallsin
trainingfortheintelligencefunctionwereaddressed
throughtheconductofacombinedDefence
IntelligenceandSecurityCoursewhileparticipation
ininternationalcoursesfurthersupportedthe
developmentofcompetenciesinthisarea.Added
emphasiswasgiventotheintelligenceinputfor
battalionandcompanygroupexercisesinorderto
enhancetheDefenceForcescapabilityinthearea
ofcombatintelligence.Intelligencepre-deployment
trainingwasalsoconductedforallkeyappointment
holderspriortodeploymentoverseas.
Defence Forces ANNUAL REPORT 2005
��
0 10 20 30 40 500 10 20 30 40 50
Minister for Defence
National SecurityCommittee
Pre and Post deploymentbriefings for Personnel
on PSO Ops
Monthly Intelligence andsecurity briefings
Night Vision Equipment 53
Reconnaissance 47
DF Intelligence and 24Security Course
Foreign Intellegence Courses 2
New Syllabi 20%
Syllabi Reviewed 80%
0 10 20 30 40 500 10 20 30 40 50
Minister for Defence
National SecurityCommittee
Pre and Post deploymentbriefings for Personnel
on PSO Ops
Monthly Intelligence andsecurity briefings
Night Vision Equipment 53
Reconnaissance 47
DF Intelligence and 24Security Course
Foreign Intellegence Courses 2
New Syllabi 20%
Syllabi Reviewed 80%
AsoldieroperatesanAMSTAR
groundsurveillanceradar
�4
Development of a conventional based military force as required by Government
Whennotengagedinmilitaryoperationseitherat
homeoroverseas,theDefenceForcesareprimarily
engagedindevelopingandmaintainingcapabilitiesto
respondefficientlyandeffectivelytoallGovernment
taskings.
‘The primary focus of the Defence Forces, when not
engaged on operations, is training and preparation
... and is primarily based on conventional military
doctrine’1.
Conventionalmilitarytrainingandeducationisthe
keydriverofDefenceForcescapabilities.Oncetrained
inconventionaloperationstheindividualsoldieror
Unitcanquicklyadapttomeettherequirementsof
peacesupportoperations,aidtothecivilpoweror
humanitarianoperations.Conventionalcapabilitiesare
createdovertimethroughtheintegrationofDefence
Forcesmilitarydoctrineandtraining.DefenceForces
trainingcanbecategorisedintoindividualeducation
andskillstraining,advancedskills/teamtrainingand
collective/unittraining.
Thissectionoutlinestheleveloftrainingdevelopment
andtrainingundertakeninordertodevelopa
conventionalbasedmilitaryforceandthespecific
trainingoutputsachievedduring2005.
Defence Forces Training and Doctrinal CommitteeDoctrineprescribeshowtheDefenceForcesplanand
conductoperations.Itisabodyofknowledgeand
understandingthatisprimarilyderivedfromstudyand
analysisofpracticalexperience.Itdefinesthemost
effectivewayofusingmilitaryassetsonthebasisof
practicalexperienceinordertoachievesuccess.
Doctrinalchangeisgovernedtoalargedegreebythe
contextofoperations.Peacesupportdeploymentsare,
moreandmore,tocomplexintra-statesituations.Very
oftenthemainefforthastobeinthelargercitiesand
townswhereitisalwaysachallengetodifferentiate
betweenthelawabidingcitizenandthetrouble
maker.Winningheartsandmindsismoreimportant
thaneverbeforeandconflictsrequirethedeployment
andapplicationofmorethanmilitaryinstruments
toensuresuccess.Today’sPeaceSupportOperations
requireacombinationofactionsbymilitary,police
andcivilianagencies.Accordinglydoctrinemustbe
developedtoensureacomprehensiveapproachin
theplanningofoperationsandinthemanagementof
operationsinthefield.
Thedecisionwastakeninautumn2005torestructure
theDefenceForcesTrainingandDoctrinalCommittee
inlightofthechangestothestructureswithinthe
DefenceForcesTrainingCentre(DFTC).Thisdecision
resultedinthere-alignmentofexistingstructures
oftheDoctrinalWorkingGroupstomirrorthenew
departmentsoftheMilitaryCollege(seeFigure�.�).
Thesechangeswillmaximisethebenefitaccruingfrom
thecaptureofexperiencesandwillintegratelessons
learnedintoourtrainingprocesses.
�4� WhitePaperonDefence2000,para4-6
The Process of DevelopingOperational Capabilities
�5
Defence Forces Leadership Centre (DFLC)TheDefenceForcesLeadershipCentre(DFLC)was
establishedintheMilitaryCollegeduring2005.Located
withintheUnitedNationsTrainingSchoolIreland
(UNTSI),itsaimistoimprovethequalityofleadership
throughouttheDefenceForcesbyprovidingthe
opportunityforindividualswithintheorganisation
toenhancetheirleadershipskillsthroughouttheir
careers.TheLeadershipCentreworkscloselywiththe
DepartmentofLeadershipandManagementwithin
theMilitaryCollegeinthedevelopmentanddelivery
ofseminarprogrammes.Leadershipseminarshave
beendesignedtomaximisethetimeparticipants
spendintheLeadershipCentre,whilepre-seminar
requirementsensurepersonnelarrivefocusedand
readytofullyengageinthedifferentaspectsofthe
programme.ExternalacademicinputintoSeminar
Programmesensuresthatparticipantsareexposedto
bestinternationalpracticeintheareaofleadership.
ManagementoftheLeadershipCentreisvestedin
aBoardofManagementwhichincludestheSchool
CommandantUNTSI,theHeadoftheDepartmentof
LeadershipandManagementintheMilitaryCollege,the
DirectorofDefenceForcesTraining,theDirectorofHRM
section,theDirectorofOperationsandtheDirectorof
theStrategicPlanningOffice.TheBoardisresponsiblefor
layingdownpolicyfortheCentre,andtheidentification
ofleadershiptrainingneedsonayearlybasis.Three
pilotseminarsweresuccessfullyconductedduring2005,
asshownintable�.�,forJuniorOfficers,SeniorOfficers
andSeniorNCO’softheDefenceForces.
Table 3.1
Date Seminar No of
Participants
��/�4Jul JuniorOfficers(Lt’s) 2�
04/05Oct SeniorOfficers(Comdt’s) 24
�0Nov/0�
Dec
SeniorNCO’s(SgtsMajor,
CompanySergeants)
22
Defence Forces ANNUAL REPORT 2005
�5
Military
Intelligence
Directorate of Defence Forces
Training
Physical(Defence
ForcesPhysical
EducationSchool)
BattleDrills
And
Tactical
Awareness
Weapons
Combat
Service
Support
Communications PSO
CurrentDoctrinalWorkingGroups
MilitaryCollegeDepartments
Commandant
Military College
Leadership
and
Management
Mobility,
Counter-
mobility
and
Survivability
Manoeuvre
Fire
Support
andAir
Defence
ISTAR*
Combat
Service
Support
(Adminin
thefield)
Command
Controland
Comms
Leadership
and
Management
Mobility,
Counter-
mobility
and
Survivability
Defenceand
Academic
Studies
PSO
*Intelligence,Surveillance,TargetAcquisitionandReconnaissance
Figure 3.3
�6
Change in Defence Forces Training Syllabi DefenceForcestrainingsyllabiarereviewed,assessed
andupdatedonaregularbasis.Giventherangeof
differentcompetenciestaughtintheDefenceForces,
thisisaconsiderableundertaking.Thechanging
requirementsoftheDefenceForcesarereflectedin
thesignificantrestructuringofthesyllabiforinduction
trainingcoursesincludinganewemphasison
battlefieldfirstaid,Chemical,Biological,Radiological
andNuclearwarfare(CBRN),unarmedcombat,
heli-bornetraining,inter-personalrelationshipsand
codesofconduct.TheOfficerCadetSyllabusunderwent
majorrevisionduringtheyearandwasshortened
from2�to�5monthsreflectingtheincreasednumber
ofgraduatesandenlistedpersonnelattractedto
cadetships.SyllabiarenowavailableontheDefence
Forcesintranet,thefirstphaseintheplannedroll-
outofensuringuniformityintrainingusingmodern
technology.
Bytheendof2006alltrainingroomsintheDefence
Forceswillbeabletoaccessup-to-datelessonplans,
presentationsandstreamedvideosacross
theDFIntranet.
Figure�.4Thistableindicatesthelevelofreviewof
DefenceForcessyllabiundertakenin2005:
Foreign Courses and TrainingTheDefenceForcesstaysabreastofinternational
bestpracticeandkeepsuptodatewithmodern
technologiesanddevelopmentsbyparticipation
incoursesabroad,seminarsandbycomputer
anddesktopexercises.Externalaccreditationand
verificationofcapabilitiesisvitalinensuringthat
theoutputsoftheDefenceForcesareinlinewith
internationalbestpractice.Interoperabilitywithother
peacesupportoperationtroopcontributingcountries
underliesallDefenceForcesinvolvementwithother
armedforcesandhasbeenthefocusofinvolvement
ininternationaltrainingexercises.Thesehavebeen
basedoncrisismanagement,disasterreliefandpeace
enforcementandhavebeenconductedeitherunder
theauspicesofIndividualPartnershipProgramme(IPP)
orinconjunctionwithotherneutralcountriesforces.
Table 3.2 Defence Forces involvement in
international activities
Course Category Number of
Activities
DoctrinalMatters ��
BasicMilitarySkills 4
MilitaryCompetitions 5
TrainingExercises* �
*Viking,CombinedEndeavourandCrisisManagementExercise
�6
0 10 20 30 40 500 10 20 30 40 50
Minister for Defence
National SecurityCommittee
Pre and Post deploymentbriefings for Personnel
on PSO Ops
Monthly Intelligence andsecurity briefings
Night Vision Equipment 53
Reconnaissance 47
DF Intelligence and 24Security Course
Foreign Intellegence Courses 2
New Syllabi 20%
Syllabi Reviewed 80%
Commissioningdayfor
officercadets.
�7
Defence Forces TrainingTheDefenceForcescontinuetotraininorderto
achievethedegreeofoperationaleffectiveness,
whichourethosandourassignedrolesdemand.
TheultimateaimofallDefenceForcestrainingis
toensuresuccessonoperations.Successisachieved
throughthedevelopmentofcompetentandeffective
leadersandthroughthedevelopmentofoperationally
capablemilitaryunitsandformations(Army,AirCorps
andNavalService).Capablemilitaryunitsarecreated
basedonarangeofskillsatindividual,teamand
unitlevelandthisformsthebasisforthetraining
regime.Ingeneralterms,individualskillsandbasic
trainingiscarriedoutatunitlevelwhileinstructorand
moreadvancedcoursesarecarriedoutattheBrigade
TrainingCentres(BTCs)andintheDefenceForces
TrainingCentre.
Individual skills training
TheuniquenatureanddiverseaspectsoftheDefence
Forcesmissionbothathomeandabroadplacesa
tremendouschallengeonthetraininginfrastructure
inensuringthattheDefenceForceshasamultiskilled
force.
Table�.�belowillustratesthelevelanddiversityof
coursesconductedintheDefenceForcestomeetthis
requirementin2005.
Table 3.3 Defence Forces Individual Skills
Training 2005
Training Outputs DFTC 1S
Bde
2E
Bde
4W
Bde
Air
Corps
Total
BasicInfantryWeaponSkills 202 206 66 �8 492
CBRNCourses �5 47 5� 42 �55
Communicationsand
InformationServicesCourses
�6 �7 57 ��0
Cavalry �2 2� 22 9 66
PublicOrder ��2 454 566
Artillery 52 �9 �2 46 �69
DriverTraining �79 6� 9� �9 550
DespatchRider 5 �0 �5
FirstAid 70 �4 56 �40
Swimming 72 72
Diving �6 �6
Administration,Accountancy
andLogistics
206 2� 227
GlobalPositioningSystem 4� 6 47
OrdnanceMaintenance ��4 ��4
NightVisionEquipment �0 29 �4 5�
FireWardens �4 40 �2 66
UrbanWarfare 2� 2�
HealthandSafety �2 �2 24
LineRiggersCourse 8 8
BasicMountaineering �2 �2
FlightAttendants � �
BasicSurvival 7 7
ArmouredFightingVehicle
Recognition
8 �7 6 ��
AircraftRecognition 8 8
BasicParachute 24 24
BasicReconnaissance �8 �8
BasicCombatEngineer 4 4
Total (number of
personnel trained
1,074 496 712 631 107 3,020
Defence Forces ANNUAL REPORT 2005
�7
�8
Advanced Skills/Team Training 2005
OncompletionoftheIndividualSkillstrainingitis
necessaryforpersonneltoundergomoreadvanced/
specialisttraining.Advancedtraininginvolvestraining
inspecialisttechnicalareas,operatingwith/commanding
crewweapons,andwhilethemajorityofthistraining
isconductedwithintheDFTCaconsiderableamountof
advancedskills/teamtrainingisconductedwithinthe
BrigadeTrainingCentres.
Table 3.4 Defence Forces Advanced Skills/Team
Training 2005 - DFTC
Training outputs Total
MowagAPCCommandersCourses 69
IntroductiontoMechOps(�)Courses 168
Anti-ArmourCommandersCourses 9
MilitaryPoliceSpecialistCourses 47
SwimmingAssistantCourses 16
AmbulanceSkills(�)Courses 27
FETACProfessionalCookeryCourses 60
FieldCateringCourses 12
StdCateringManagementCourses 12
AllTerrainVehiclesCourses 8
OffRoadDrivingCourses 246
ScaniaDropsConversionCourses 10
DURO(EOD)TrainingCourses 43
ArticulatedTruckDrivingCourses 4
ForkliftTestingCourses 8
HR/AdministrationCourses 171
ComputerTrainingCourses 239
AirDefenceSpecialistCourses 53
EETTechniciansCourses 6
LinuxCourses 21
TacticalBattlefieldManagementSystem
Courses
7
CISDetComdrsCourses 20
HarrisRadioCourses 14
MowagMaintenanceCourses 20
Total 1,290
Table 3.5 Defence Forces Advanced Skills/Team
Training 2005 - Bdes
Training
outputs
1S Bde 2 E Bde 4W Bde Total
Infantry
Support
Weapons
287 254 2�6 777
CBRN
Specialist
�0 �0
Sniper �4 �4
Total 297 268 236 801
Instructor Training
Thedevelopmentofacompetentandcapableinstructor
cadrewithintheDefenceForcesisparamountforthe
provisionofhighqualityinstruction.TheDefence
Forcescommitconsiderableresourcestothetrainingof
instructorsinavarietyofdisciplines.Table�.6below
indicatesthenumberofinstructortrainingcourses
undertakenin2005.
�8
�9
Table 3.6 Defence Forces Instructor Training 2005
Training outputs Number
of
Courses
DFTC
AdvancedInstrsCourse � 20
CBRNDefenceInstrsCourse � 27
FightinginBuiltUpArea
InstrsCourse
� 2�
MachineGunInstrsCourse � 22
PTInstrsCourse � 24
SwimmingTeachersCourse � �2
UnarmedCombatInstrs
Course
� 24
PTSupervisorsCourse � 24
OccupationalFirstAidInstrs
Courses
2 20
MTDriverInstrsCourse � 26
CBRNCollectiveProtection
InstrsCourse
� ��
APCCrewmenInstrsCourse 2 �0
TacticalEngagement
SimulationSystemInstrs
Course
2 22
InfantryLightSupport
WeaponsInstrsCourse
� �6
GlobalPositioningSystem
InstrsCourses
2 4�
�05mmLightGunInstr
Course
� 29
8�mmMortarInstrsCourse � 20
CavalryGunneryInstrs
Course
� 8
CavalryDriverInstrsCourse � 7
Total 23 388
Development of Training in Support of New
Technologies Purchased
OneoftheDefenceForceskeychallengesintraining,
istoensurethatitsmainresource,itspersonnel,are
capableofproficientlyoperatingthenewequipment
andadvancedtechnologiesthathavebeenpurchased.
Coursesontheoperationandmaintenanceof
equipmentnewlyintroducedintotheDefence
Forcescontinuetobedeveloped.Allsuchcourses
areconstantlyreviewedandupdatedonconclusion
ofeachcourseheld.TheDefenceForcesin2005
purchasedtheJavelinanti-armourmissilesystem,
ChemicalBiologicalRadiologicalandNuclear(CBRN)
detectionequipment,MowagAPCs,EC��5Helicopters
andPC-9aircraft.Table�.7outlinestrainingconducted
ontheseequipments.
Table 3.7 Personnel trained on newly
purchased equipment
Course Category Number of
Personnel
Trained
Javelin 46
CBRNDetectionEquipment �0
MowagAPC 450
PC-9 4�
EC-��5 �0
Training Exercises
Collectivetrainingexercisesarethefinalbuilding
blockofDefenceForcescapabilities;assuchtheytest
doctrine,skillsandequipmentpriortooperational
deployment.Thefocusofcollectivetrainingduring
2005wasondevelopingbattalionandcompanylevel
commandandcontroltechniquesandprocedures,
togetherwithconventionalnightoperationsand
maintenanceinthefield.Inadditiontoexercises
conductedaspartofformalmilitarytrainingcourses,
theDefenceForcesalsoconductexercisestoconfirm
themaintenanceoftrainingstandards.Exercises
wereconductedbythe�,2and4Brigadesasperthe
table�.8.
Defence Forces ANNUAL REPORT 2005
�9
Trainingwiththe
EC��5Helicopter.
20
Table 3.8 Conventional Military Exercises
conducted by the Formations
Formation Number of
Exercises
Numbers
Exercised
�SBde �� 908
2EBde 2� 2,9�9
4WBde �2 2,024
Total 44 5,871
During2005,theAirCorpscarriedoutavarietyof
missionsindirectsupportofconventionalmilitary
training.Thesemissionsprimarilyinvolvedairsupport
fortrooptrainingonmissionreadinessexercisesprior
tooverseasdeployments.Helicopterswereusedtotrain
troopsintacticaltrooptransport,reconnaissanceand
casualtyevacuationprocedures.Missionsalsoincluded
supporttotheDFTCtrainingestablishmentssuchasthe
MilitaryCollege,CombatSupportCollege,andCombat
ServiceSupportCollege.InadditionthefixedwingPilatus
aircraftconductedsimulatedstrikeandcloseairsupport
missionsforthesetrainingexercises.
Table 3.9 Air Corps Exercises
Type of Training Mission Number of
Missions
MissionsinSupportoftheBdesand
DFTC
258
MissionsinSupportoftheARW 40
AirCorpsTrainingExercises 50
TheNavalServicecarriedoutanintensiveprogramme
ofshipwork-up-trainingandexercisesduring2005.This
wasdoneonaphased,incrementalbasis,progressing
toSTPs(ShipTrainingPeriods)whichwerecarriedoutin
smallerTaskGroupsduringroutinepatrols.Thisapproach
enabledconsiderablymorefocusedandintensiveinternal
work-up-trainingtobecarriedoutduetoreduced
positioningtimesandfacilitatedconsiderablygreater
flexibilityandrealism.
Table 3.10 Naval Service Exercises
Type Number Personnel
Exercised
SeaTrainingPeriods �2 54�
FleetExercise � 420
SearchandRescue �7 748
Diving �7 762
NavalCollege 2� �20
JointExerciseswithArmy/
AirCorps
�0 440
Development of Reserve Defence Force (RDF)TheReserveDefenceForceReviewImplementationPlan
coverstheperiod2004-2009andseekstoharmonisethe
characteristicsoftheRDFwiththoseofthePDFinorder
toachieveaDefenceForcesinwhichbothcomponents
canrealisticallybeviewedascomplementary.
Organisation
Thefirstphaseoftheplanwascompletedontargeton�stof
October2005withtheformallaunchoftheReserveDefence
Force.ThecompletionofPhase�sawthereductionofthe
originalstructurefrom47downto27units.
Reserve Training
AtrainingstrategyfortheRDFwaspublishedduring
2005.ThisstrategyreflectsthenewfocusoftheRDF20
Ceremonytomarkthe
launchoftheRDF.
2�
Table 3.11 Training Outputs – RDF 2005
Training Output 1 S Bde Res 2 E Bde Res 4 W Bde Res NS Res Total
Career Courses
RDFOfficersCourse 29 49 �� Nil �09
RDFNCOCourse 8 54 79 Nil �4�
InductionTraining 540 505 445 Nil �,490
1,740
Courses (Others)
SupportWeaponsCourses �9 �5 5� Nil �25
InstructorsCourses �62 �8 �8 Nil �98
ArtilleryCourses 228 99 6 Nil ���
ReconnaissanceCourses 4 � Nil Nil 5
GunneryInstrCourses Nil � Nil Nil �
AML90Courses Nil 5 Nil Nil 5
CombatFieldEngineersCourses �5 Nil Nil Nil �5
CISCourses 2� �5 �� Nil 47
MilitaryPoliceCourses �6 � 20 Nil �7
DriversCourses 79 29 45 � �56
AdministrationCourses 7 �5 Nil Nil 22
MedicalTrainingCourses �9 2 7� Nil ��4
Health&SafetyCourses �5 Nil �5 �0 40
NavalReserveTraining Nil Nil Nil �56 �56
TOTAL 1,274
Table 3.12 Training Outputs – Combined Exercises
Output 1 S Bde Res 2 E Bde Res 4 W Bde Res NS Res Total
PSOExercises �92 �5 ��� Nil 320
TrainingwithBdes Nil 47 Nil Nil 47
TrainingwithDFTC 7 Nil 2� Nil 28
TrainingwithARW Nil �6 Nil Nil 16
TrainingwithArtillerySch �6 Nil �6 Nil 32
TrainingwithBTCs �9 Nil Nil Nil 19
InternationalMilitaryPoliceCse Nil �� �5 Nil 28
Table 3.13 Operational Outputs
Output 1 S Bde Res 2 E Bde Res 4 W Bde Res NS Res Total
SecurityDuties 97 207 �2� �07 532
SeagoingNavalVessels Nil Nil Nil 8� 83
Defence Forces ANNUAL REPORT 2005
2�
withup-skillingofpersonnelandjointtrainingbeing
conductedwithPDFunitsonselectedexercises.The
YoungOfficerscoursewasmodularisedandsuccessfully
conductedthroughacombinationofinstructional
delivery,utilisingDistanceLearning,BrigadeTraining
Centresandanintensive�4-dayperiodoffulltime
trainingintheMilitaryCollege.
AnadvanceDistanceLearningWorkingGroupwas
establishedtoprogressthisaspectoftrainingdelivery.
Ithasmaderecommendationsandcommencedwork
onpreparinganumberofcoursesfordeliveryinpart
byDistanceLearning.
22
Equipment
NewequipmentswereapprovedfortheRDF.These
included
n DenelVektor60mmMortar
n GeneralPurposeMachineGuns
n �2.7mmHeavyMachineGuns
n IncreasedholdingsofSteyrRifles
Aid to The Civil Power Operations (ATCP) – Supporting An Garda SíochánaInternalsecurityisprimarilytheresponsibilityofAn
GardaSíochanáwiththeDefenceForcesplayingakey
roleinprovidingonrequest,aidtothecivilpower.In
thecurrentsecurityclimate,tasksperformedunder
thisobjectiveinclude,theprovisionoftroopsforcash
escorts,prisonerescorts,explosiveescorts,specialist
searchoperations,explosiveordnancedisposal,
hospitalguardsforhigh-riskprisoners,theprovisionof
militaryguardsatanumberofvitalinstallationsand
theprovisionofspecialisttroopsandequipmentfor
counterterrorismoperations.
ATCP Operations ConductedTheDefenceForcesindeliveringoutputsinarmed
assistancetothecivilpowerprovidesavarietyof
militaryoperations.AlthoughthemajorityofAidtothe
CivilPoweroperationsarerequestedinadvanceand
thereforecanbescheduled,certainoperationsarise
outofemergencysituationssuchasEODrequests.This
ineffectmeansthatmilitarypersonnelinvolvedare
requiredtobeonstand-byinbarracksona24-hour
basisyearround.
Table�.�4belowindicatestheDefenceForces
commitmenttoATCPoperationsin2005:
Table 3.14 ATCP Outputs
Type of ATCP Operation Number of
Operations
CashintransitEscorts 2,574
PrisonerEscorts �76
ExplosiveOrdnanceDisposal
(BombDisposal)
8�
MajorTroopDeployments 2
ExplosiveEscort 2�
AirMissionsinsupportofATCP 286
SecurityatKeyInstallations �,682
PatrolsofVitalInstallations �,242
Other �4
Garda Air Support Unit (GASU)ThemissionsundertakenbytheAirCorpsinsupport
ofAnGardaSíochánaduringthefouryears2002-2005
areoutlinedintable�.�5.Itshouldbenotedthatthe
numberofmissionsundertakenbytheAirCorpshas
beensteadilyincreasingsince2002.In2004there
wasanexceptionallyhighincidenceofoperations
relatingtoIreland’spresidencyoftheEU.TheAirCorps
providespilotsforthethreeGardaaircraft.
22
Table 3.15 Missions flown by Air Corps Garda Air Support Unit 2002 to 2005
2002 2003 2004 2005
Missions Flying
Hrs
Missions Flying
Hrs
Missions Flying
Hrs
Missions Flying
Hrs
EcurielLightHelicopter 9�9 587 904 6�� 849 572 775 560
DefenderFixedWing
TwinAircraft
45� 5�7 452 5�4 404 45� 60� 447
EC��5LightHelicopter 48 46 897 626 �,468 �,05� �,282 856
Total 1,418 1,170 2,253 1,773 2,721 2,078 2,660 1,863
2�
Defence Forces ANNUAL REPORT 2005
2�
Effective Logistics, Equipment Procurement, Management and Related Maintenance ProgrammesThekeygoalsofthedevelopmentprogrammefor
theDefenceForcesoutlinedintheWhitePaperon
Defence2000providethebasisfortheprocurement
ofappropriateequipmentandthedevelopmentof
militarycapabilitiestofulfiltherolesassignedby
Government.Thekeygoal“To provide sufficient forces
and capabilities to meet needs at home and to make
a significant contribution abroad”isofparticular
relevanceintheprocurementofequipmentandthe
developmentofcapabilitiesfortheDefenceForcesto
effectivelyparticipateinPeaceSupportOperations,
HumanitarianAssistanceOperations,AidtotheCivil
AuthoritiesandAidtotheCivilPower.
Themainobjectiveofthestrategicdefensive
equipmentprocurementplanisthedevelopment
andmaintenanceofoperationalcapabilities.The
procurementpoliciesoftheDefenceForcesare
determinedbythepaletteofforcesofferedtothe
HelsinkiHeadlineGoalcatalogue;thePartnership
GoalsunderPartnershipforPeace(PfP)andthe
planningtemplatesforunitscommittedtopeace
supportoperationsundertheUnitedNationsStandby
ArrangementsSystem(UNSAS).TheDefenceForces
requirementsarethenlistedinorderofpriorityin
theDefenceForces�0-YearDefensiveEquipment
ProcurementPlan.
PartnershipGoalsfacilitateinteroperabilitywithother
modernforcesandthedevelopmentofoperational
capabilities.Procurementpolicyhasprioritisedthatthe
DefenceForcesareequippedwiththenecessary:
n ProtectionMeasuresbasedonfirepower,mobility
andarmouredprotection.
n SurveillanceCapabilitydayandnight.
n Command,Control&Communications(C�).
n CBRNProtectionintheareasofDetection,
Individual&CollectiveProtectionand
Decontamination.
24
Defensive Equipment Purchase ProgrammesIn2005furtheradvancesweremadeintheareaof
equipmentpurchasedtoenhancetheDefenceForces
operationalcapabilities.Theseitemsincluded:
Javelin Anti-Armour Weapon System
TheDefenceForcestookfinaldeliveryofthe
JavelinAnti-ArmourWeaponsystemin2005
andthiscompletedtheprogrammeof
procurementinthedevelopmentoftheDefence
ForcesAnti-ArmourOperationalcapability.
Armoured Surveillance & Reconnaissance
Vehicles
TheDefenceForceshascommencedprocurement
offifteennewMowagPiranhaIIIarmoured
vehicles.ThiswillincreasetheDefenceForces
MowagArmouredfleettoeighty(80)vehicles.
Thenewvehicleswillbedeliveredin2007and
willprovidenewoperationalcapabilitiesforthe
conductofreconnaissanceandsurveillancetasks.
Field Deployable HQs Containers
TheDefenceForcesrequirethecapabilityto
deployaDeployableHQsinthefieldwithsuitable
accommodationforcommandandstaffpersonnel.
Apurchaseprogrammebeganin2005tomeet
thisneed.
Night Vision Equipment
TheDefenceForcesabilitytofightatnightwas
improvedwiththeprocurementofthermal
imagingobservationequipmentforlonger-range
surveillanceandtargetdesignation.
Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Developments (CBRN)TheDefenceForcescontinuedtodevelopitsCBRN
defencecapability.TheCBRNdefenceplatoonisone
oftheassetsthattheDefenceForceshaveincludedin
its‘PaletteofOffers’madeavailabletotheEuropean
UnionForceCatalogue.During2005theDefence
Forcescontinuedtoprogressdevelopmentofthe
CBRNdefenceplatooncapabilityfordeploymentat
�0daysnotice.CBRNexpertiseisnotonlyforoverseas
operationsbutprovidesacapabilityfordomestic
operationsaswell.CBRNexercisesheldduring
24
AMowagreconnaissancevehicle
equippedwitha�0mmgun.Thesewill
comeonstreamduring2007.
‘Sophie’thermal
imagingequipment.
2005inthe�SBdeandtheDFTCconfirmedthe
capabilityoftheCBRNdefenceplatoon.Inaddition
tothedevelopmentofCBRNdefenceplatoon,the
DefenceForcescontinuetodevelopCBRNindividual
defencecapabilityforallpersonneltotheappropriate
standard.
Individual and Collective CBRN Protection procurementThecontinuationoftheprocurementprogrammefor
CBRNprotectiveequipmentsaw�,200CBRNIndividual
ProtectionSuitspurchasedin2005withanother800
suitsduefordeliveryin2006.Theseprocurements
continuetoenhancetheDefenceForcescapabilityin
theareaofCBRNemergencyplanningcontingency.
AdditionallyCBRNmonitoringanddetectionsystems
werepurchasedforMowagAPCsthataddtothe
reconnaissancecapabilityoftheCBRNplatoons.
TheDefenceForcescontinuetoadvanceitsoperational
capabilitiesthroughthemajorprocurementprojects
currentlyinprogress,asshowninTable�.�6below.
Defence Forces ANNUAL REPORT 2005
2525
Project
Description
Year
Commenced
Completed Year
CompletedPre 2005 2005 Balance Total Cost
JavelinAntiArmourSystem 200� 9.5M 2.4M 0.4M �2.�M 2006
ArmouredSurveillance&
ReconnaissanceVehicles
2005 Nil �5.�M 2�.4M �6.5M 2008
IntegratedProtection&Load
CarryingSystem
2005 Nil 2.8M 9.4M �2.2M 2006
FieldDeployableHQs
Containers
2005 Nil 0.9M �.5M 2.4M 2006
GeneralPurposeMachine
Gun(GPMG)
2005 Nil �.4M 2.9M 4.�M 2006
CBRNEquipment �999 6.�9M 0.5M Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing
Asoldierdecontaminateshis
CBRNequipment.
Table 3.16
26
CommunicationsTheCommunicationsandInformationServices
Corpsacquiredacapabilitytorapidlydeploy
satellitecommunicationsinfrastructurewiththefirst
elementsofanoverseasforcethusenablingaccess
bythedeployedforcetoDFStrategicApplications
e.g.personnelmanagementsystemandinventory
managementsystem,aswellasprovidingforvoice
communications.
MaintenanceDuetothevarietyandincreasingtechnical
sophisticationofdefenceequipment,upkeep
andmaintenanceisessentialtoensureoptimal
performance.Aspartofthemediumtermstrategyand
annualplanningprocessanumberofmaintenance
programmeshavebeenputinplace.Inadditionto
internalmaintenance,maintenancecontractswith
externalprovidershavebeenputinplace.Forexample
in2005a‘powerbythehour’contractforspareparts
supportwasestablishedwithEurocoptertocoincide
withtheintroductionintoserviceoftheEC(P2)��5
helicopter.
Infrastructure and Facilities Developingandmaintaininginfrastructureand
facilitiestomeettheoperational,training,logistical
andadministrativeneedsoftheDefenceForces
remainsakeyobjectiveofthemodernisationprocess
undertheWhitePaper.TheDefenceForcesdevelops
itsinfrastructurethroughtheongoingreviewand
implementationofarollingfive-yearCapitalWorks
Programme.
Capital Infrastructure Developments.Fundingof_�9.48mwasmadeavailableforcapital
expenditureonbuildingsin2005,anincreaseof
almostamilliononthepreviousyear.Theprovision
andupgradingofaccommodationandtraining
facilitiescontinuedtobeaprioritywithotherprojects
26
27
alsobeingundertakentofacilitatetheefficient
managementoftheDefenceForces.
Majorprojectscompletedduring2005were:
n Theprovisionofaccommodationfacilitiesin:
- CasementAerodrome(�6Bed)
- SarsfieldBarracks,Limerick(49Bed)
- CustumeBarracks,Athlone(22Bed)
n TheprovisionofaHeatTargetRangeinTheGlen
ofImaalhasprovidedtheDefenceForceswith
extendedfacilitiesforanti-armourtraining.
RefurbishmentprojectswerecompletedattwoBrigade
HQsinCathalBrughaBarracksandinCustume
BarrackswhileanotherwascompletedattheDFTCHQ
inMcDermottBarracks.RefurbishmentoftheArmoury
andGuardroominDúnUíMhaoilíosa,Renmorewas
alsocompleted.
Theyearsawsignificantnewprojectsbeing
contractedforwithcompletionsscheduledfor2006.
Accommodationwasagainthepriorityandprojects
inthiscategorywerecommencedin:
CathalBrughaBarracks(�06Bed)
DefenceForcesTrainingCentre(��5Bed)
CustumeBarracks(�62Bed)
DúnUíMhaoilíosa(95Bed)
FinnerCamp(48Bed)
AnewSportsChangingFacilityfortheDFTCwasalso
commencedandwillbeavailableforSummer2006
whilsttheprojecttoprovideanewBrigadeHQand
MedicalFacilityintheoldhospitalbuildinginCollins
Barracks,Corkcommencedlatein2005.
Defence Forces ANNUAL REPORT 2005
27
ContextThepersonneloftheDefenceForcesareitsmost
valuableresource,andthustheeffectiveleadership
andmanagementofthatresourceisofcritical
importance.HumanResourceManagementisakey
aspectintheachievementoftheDefenceForces
rolesandmissionaslaiddownbyGovernment.This
isreflectedintheWhitePaper,whichemphasisesthe
importanceofofferingrewardingandchallenging
careerstoDefenceForcespersonnelandthe
importanceofacontinuousrecruitmentstrategy.
AHumanResourceManagementstrategyframework
documentfortheDefenceForceswaspreparedin2005
andwillbeissuedin2006.Thisstrategyframework
willpositiontheorganisationtomeetitsHRMneeds
indeveloping,motivating,andsustainingeffective
humanresourcestosupportthedevelopmentof
militarycapabilitiesanddeliveryofdefenceoutputs.
TheHRStrategycoverssuchareasasrecruitment
andretention,leadership,successionplanning,
performanceandcareermanagementandtraining
anddevelopment.
Thischapterreportsonprogressachievedin2005
basedontheframeworkoftheDefenceForcesStrategy
Statement2005-2007andtheChiefofStaff’sAnnual
PlanfortheDefenceForces2005.
Progressisoutlinedagainsteight(8)DefenceForces
ObjectivesunderthisStrategicGoal,whichare:
�) TodevelopandimplementaDefenceForces
HumanResourceManagementStrategy.
2) TomaintainDefenceForcesstrengthatalevel
toeffectivelyaccomplishthismissionandroles
assignedbyGovernment.
�) TotrainanddevelopmembersoftheDefence
Forces,sothattheyfulfiltheirroleseffectively
andensurefulfilmentofindividualtrainingand
developmentalgoals.
4) Toencouragepersonneltosetandattaintheir
careergoalsandexperienceprofilesaligned
withDefenceForcesprioritiesthroughimproved
performanceandcareermanagement.
To recruit, develop, motivate and sustain effective human resources to support the delivery of military capability and defence outputs.
Strategic Goal 2
28
Highly
qualifiedstaff
intheHRMsectionenhance
theDefenceForceseffortstoachieveHRM‘best
practice’standards.ThisphotoshowsComdt.TonyMcKennawho
holdsaM.B.S(HRM)andCaptAnitaHoganwhoholdsaM.Sc(Workand
OrganisationalPsychology).
5) Todevelopandpromotepositiveworkrelations
andasecureandsupportiveworkingenvironment
forallmembersoftheDefenceForces.
6) Toprovideafirstclasshealthcaresystemathome
andoverseas.
7) Topromoteandsustainadequatelevelsofhealth
andfitnessofDefenceForcespersonnelinorder
tosupporttheDefenceForcesintheexecutionof
theirassignedroles.
8) Tomodernisethedisciplinarycodeandprocedures
oftheDefenceForces.
HRM Strategy Development & ImplementationThenewlypreparedcomprehensiveHumanResource
ManagementStrategyisfocusedontheessential
HumanResourceoutcomesofprovidingcompetent
andcommittedpeoplewhocontributetoimproved
defencecapabilityandservices.Thisstrategyoutlines
theDefenceForcesHRMObjectives,KeyTargetAreas,
StrategiesandInitiativesandrelatedPerformance
Indicators.Manyoftheinitiativesoutlinedinthe
HRMStrategyhavecommencedin2005andwill
besignificantlyadvancedfollowingitspublication
in2006.Anumberofotherkeyareasthatarevery
importanttooverallDefenceForcesHRMstrategy
implementationare;HRM‘bestpractice’compliance,
HRMadministrativesupport,theGovernment
‘ModernisationAgenda’andtheintroductionofthe
OmbudsmanfortheDefenceForces.
HRM ‘Best Practice’ ComplianceTheDefenceForcesevaluatesprogressintheHRMarea
usingbothinternalandexternalassessment.
AspartofthisassessmenttheDefenceForcesnow
aimtoachievethe‘ExcellenceThroughPeople’Award,
whichisIreland’sNationalStandardforHuman
ResourceManagement.Theprocessofattainingthis
awardbeganin2005withafeasibilitystudy.Asan
initialgoalitisplannedtoachievetheawardin2006
forvariousregionalelementsoftheDefenceForces.
HRM Administrative SupportThedeliveryofeffectiveandefficientadministrative
supportintheimplementationofHRMstrategywas
addressedin2005throughthefurtherdevelopment
ofourInformationTechnologynetworkandthe
PersonnelManagementSystem(PMS)aspartof
theongoingimplementationandrolloutofthe
ManagementInformationFramework(MIF).
Personnel Management SystemTheoverallobjectiveofthePersonnelManagement
System(PMS)istoassistinthestreamliningofUnit
administrationintheDefenceForceswithaviewto
facilitatinginformeddecision-makingthroughaccess
torepositoriesofaccurate,timelyandrealtime
information.Theresultwillbeenhancedtransparency
andefficiencyleadingtoimprovedvalueformoney.
Defence Forces ANNUAL REPORT 2005
29
�0�0
ThePMShasbeenrolledouttoallofthePermanent
DefenceForceunits.Therangeoffunctionalityincludes
adatabaseofallmembersoftheDefenceForceswhich
outlinespersonaldetails,medicalstatus,healthand
safety,rangepracticeresults,timeandattendance,leave,
securitydutyadministration,overseasservicerecordand
Unitreturns.
UserTrainingwasinitiallyconductedatTheMilitary
AdministrationSchoolintheDefenceForcesTraining
Centre.ThishasnowbeendevolvedtoBrigadesand
Services.
Thepaper-basedUnitadministrativesystemhasnow
beenradicallystreamlinedwiththedevelopmentofthe
PMS.ElectronicUnitadministrativeinspectionshave
beenfacilitatedthroughtheuseofthenewautomated
systemandthishasengenderedthegrowthofamore
proactiveadministrativeculturewithintheDefence
Forces.ItsintegrationintotheManagementInformation
Frameworkcommencedin2005.
Modernisation AgendaTheReviewGroupestablishedtoverifyprogresswith
theimplementationoftheDefenceForcesAction
Plan,preparedonfootoftheGovernment’sSocial
PartnershipAgreement–‘SustainingProgress’,recorded
furthersignificantadvancementintheDefenceForces
modernisationprocess.
Ombudsman - Defence ForcesTheestablishmentandappointmentofanOmbudsman
fortheDefenceForcesonthe�stofDecember2005
marksawelcomeadditiontothelongestablished
grievanceprocedureswithintheDefenceForces.
ConsequentlyarevisedAdministrativeInstructiononthe
DefenceForcescomplaintsprocedurewasdeveloped
andalsobecameeffectivefrom�stofDecember2005.
TheOfficeoftheOmbudsmanisanindependent
statutorybody.WithintheestablishedRedressofWrongs
procedurepersonnelmayforwardcomplaintstothe
Ombudsman’sofficeiftheyfeeldissatisfiedwiththe
responsetheyreceivedfromthemilitaryauthoritiestoa
formalcomplaintunderDefenceActprovisions.
Redress of Wrongs SystemAtotalof25applicationsforRedressofWrongswere
receivedandprocessedin2005.Thisrepresentsaslight
decreaseon2004.Themajorityofredressesrelate
primarilytocareerdevelopmentmatters,(seeFigure
4.�).Reviewsofcareerdevelopmentissues,suchasthe
criteriaforselectionofpersonnelforpromotion,for
careeradvancementcoursesandforoverseasservice
commencedin2004toaddressthemajorcategories
ofcomplaintsreceivedanddiscussionsarecurrently
ongoingwiththeRepresentativeAssociations.
Organisational Strength and RecruitmentTheWhitePaperonDefence2000highlightedthe
importanceofacontinuousrecruitmentstrategyto
0 5 10 15 20 25 0 5 10 15 20
2005
Others
Interpersonal Relations
Career Development
2002 2003 2004 2005
2004
2003
2002
Army 8,539
Total Strength 10,446
Naval Service 1,055
Air Corps 852
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
2 E Bde
1 S Bde
4 W Bde
DFTC
NS
0
50
100
150
200
250
0
50
100
150
200
250
Potential NCOs Cse
2002 2003 2004 2005
Standard NCOs Cse
0 100
2005
2004
2003
2002
200 300 400 500 0 100 200 300 400
Pte to Cpl Cpl to Sgt
Sgt to CS/CQMS CS/CQMS to BSM/BQMS
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 350 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Personal Work
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Army Naval Service Air Corps
4
5
6
4
5
6
% C
adet
Str
engt
h
2005 11 9
2004 19 17
Instrumentalist DFSM (5)Medical Officers (4)
Marine Engineers (1)
Cadets (55)
Heavy Veh Mechanic (20)
Aircraft Mechanic (8)Tech Officers DFSM (2)
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
0
5
10
15
20
25
0
5
10
15
20
25
% C
adet
Str
engt
h
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Perc
enta
ge T
urno
ver
OmbudsmanPaulyn
MarrinanQuinn,S.C.,
F.C.I.ArbwithOfficersand
NCOsofthe4WBde.
��
Defence Forces ANNUAL REPORT 2005
��
maintaintheestablishmentoftheDefenceForces
at�0,500.ItauthorisestheChiefofStafftocontrol
automaticrecruitmentandtheadvertisingbudgetfor
thisisdelegatedtohim.
TheeffectivemanagementofthestrengthoftheDefence
Forcesisimportant,asthenumber,skillsandefficiency
ofpersonnelservingdeterminesthenatureofthe
contingentcapabilityandtheabilitytoeffectivelycarry
outassignedtasksandroles.Theattractionofsufficient
numbersofpeoplewiththerequirededucationaland
physicalfitnessstandardstoserviceintheDefence
ForcesisacornerstoneoftheHRMStrategy.Duetothe
trainingandinvestmentrequiredforpersonneland
ever-increasingmulti-skillingdemandsonthem,the
DefenceForcesmustensurethatitselectsthemost
suitablepeoplethroughimprovedselectionprocedures.
Astrategythattargetedtheseareasofrecruitmentand
selectionwasfurtherdevelopedduring2005toincrease
theoverallstandardofapplicant.
Personnel NumbersTheoverallstrengthofthePermanentDefenceForce
wasmaintainedwithinthepermittedfigureof�0,500in
2005.Atyear-endthestrengthwas�0,446.
Recruitment and RetentionRecruitment
ThepersonneloftheDefenceForcesareakeyelement
ofmilitarycapabilityandmustbeeffectivelymanaged
toensuretherightmixandqualityofhumanresources.
Ultimatelysuccessinthisareawillbeassessedinterms
ofrecruitingtherightqualityandquantityofpersonnel
tofillvacanciesandthedegreetowhichstrengthtargets
aremetacrossallUnitsandFormations.
During2005theDefenceForcescontinuedtoface
thechallengesofrecruitingfromadecreasingpoolof
availablecandidates.Inreplenishing5.�%turnovera
totalof479personnelwererecruited,brokendown
intoGeneralService(�84)andSpecialists(95).Aseries
ofcross-mediaadvertisingcampaignsforbothGeneral
ServiceRecruitmentandSpecialistCompetitionswas
undertaken.Electronicandprintmediawereutilised.
Inaddition,visitstoPost-PrimarySchoolsandThird
LevelInstitutionswereundertakenbyregionalrecruiting
teams.PublicitywasalsosoughtthroughthePublic
RelationsSectionandanumberofarticleswerefeatured
intheprintmediawhilesomeradiointerviewswerealso
conducted.
ThetwonationalCareersExhibitions,inwhichthe
DefenceForcesparticipated,werethe‘HigherOptions’
ExhibitionintheRDS,Dublinandthe‘Opportunities
2005’ExhibitioninCrokePark,Dublin.Feedbackfrom
theseexhibitionswaspositive.Participationintheseand
otherevents,aspartofouroverallrecruitmentstrategy,
iscontinuallykeptunderreview.
AninteractiveApplicationFormwasdevelopedfor
allcategoriesofcompetitionandwillbefeaturedon
theDefenceForceswebsitefromFebruary2006.All
categoriesofcompetitionforentryweresubjectto
interview,andtestingwasundertakeninallcases
bytrainedpersonnel.
General Service
Aprojectedtargetofinductinganestimated�70
personnelforGeneralServicewassetatthebeginning
oftheyear.Theout-turnshowsthat�84personswere
actuallyrecruitedtoreplacelossesinthiscategoryin
2005.TheDefenceForcesreceived�,�25applications
forenlistment,whichindicatesthatGeneralService
continuestobeanattractivechoiceofemployment.
0 5 10 15 20 25 0 5 10 15 20
2005
Others
Interpersonal Relations
Career Development
2002 2003 2004 2005
2004
2003
2002
Army 8,539
Total Strength 10,446
Naval Service 1,055
Air Corps 852
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
2 E Bde
1 S Bde
4 W Bde
DFTC
NS
0
50
100
150
200
250
0
50
100
150
200
250
Potential NCOs Cse
2002 2003 2004 2005
Standard NCOs Cse
0 100
2005
2004
2003
2002
200 300 400 500 0 100 200 300 400
Pte to Cpl Cpl to Sgt
Sgt to CS/CQMS CS/CQMS to BSM/BQMS
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 350 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Personal Work
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Army Naval Service Air Corps
4
5
6
4
5
6
% C
adet
Str
engt
h
2005 11 9
2004 19 17
Instrumentalist DFSM (5)Medical Officers (4)
Marine Engineers (1)
Cadets (55)
Heavy Veh Mechanic (20)
Aircraft Mechanic (8)Tech Officers DFSM (2)
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
0
5
10
15
20
25
0
5
10
15
20
25
% C
adet
Str
engt
h
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Perc
enta
ge T
urno
ver
�2�2
Note:NorequirementforGeneralServiceintakeintoAirCorpsin2002,
200�,2004&2005.Plannedinductionscheduledin2006.
Induction Training Discharges
OverthepastfouryearstheDefenceForceshas
averagedalossof20%ofpersonnelduringtraining,
alowerpercentagethanothermodernarmedforces.
AnewelementtotheRecruitSyllabusintroducedin
2005allowsfora2-week‘trialperiod’priortothestart
ofRecruittrainingwhereindividualscandecideifthey
aresuitedtoa‘LifeLessOrdinary’.
Analysis of Intake Versus Discharges
Year Intake Discharge
during Induction
Training
Discharge as %
of Intake
200� 827 257 ��%
2002 500 9� �7%
200� 4�6 80 �8%
2004 57� ��� 2�%
2005 �84 87 22%
Previouslynostatisticaldatawasgatheredfrom
personswhoexitedtheorganisationduringtraining.
HoweverthemostrecentfeedbackfromapilotExit
QuestionnaireforRecruitsindicatedthat�5%citedan
improvedjobofferwhile2�%statedthatthejobdid
notmeetexpectations(disruptiontofamilylife,harder
thanexpectedorboredom).
AnExitquestionnairewasdevelopedin2005andall
personsdepartingtheDefenceForceswillcomplete
this.Thiswillprovidesolidfeedbackwherebyissues
raisedconcerningtheearlyformativedayscanbe
addressed.
Retention
Whileacknowledgingthatahealthylevelofturnover
isimportant,keepingthebestpeopleandensuringa
goodreturnfromtrainingandeducationinvestment
inhumanresourcesisakeyresultareafortheDefence
Forces.Theoverarchingstrategytoachievethis
reliesonthesuccessfulimplementationoftheHRM
strategyfromrecruitmentthroughtoexit.Additionally
intermsofmilitarycapabilitytheDefenceForces
mustaimtomaintainageprofilesinlinewiththe
recommendationsoftheWhitePaperonDefence2000.
Inrecentyearstherehasbeenasignificantdecrease
inturnoverratesinallservicesbutparticularlyin
theArmyandtheNavalService,withArmyturnover
ratesof9.5%in200�reducingtojustover5%in2005
(SeeFigure4.4).Factorscontributingtothisreduction
includeimprovementsinpay,betterconditions
ofservice,avarietyofoverseaspeacekeeping
opportunities,thechangingcultureoftheworking
environmentandupgradedfacilities.
Note:Turnoverisasapercentageofstrengthatstartoftheyearfor
eachcategory
0 5 10 15 20 25 0 5 10 15 20
2005
Others
Interpersonal Relations
Career Development
2002 2003 2004 2005
2004
2003
2002
Army 8,539
Total Strength 10,446
Naval Service 1,055
Air Corps 852
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
2 E Bde
1 S Bde
4 W Bde
DFTC
NS
0
50
100
150
200
250
0
50
100
150
200
250
Potential NCOs Cse
2002 2003 2004 2005
Standard NCOs Cse
0 100
2005
2004
2003
2002
200 300 400 500 0 100 200 300 400
Pte to Cpl Cpl to Sgt
Sgt to CS/CQMS CS/CQMS to BSM/BQMS
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 350 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Personal Work
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Army Naval Service Air Corps
4
5
6
4
5
6
% C
adet
Str
engt
h
2005 11 9
2004 19 17
Instrumentalist DFSM (5)Medical Officers (4)
Marine Engineers (1)
Cadets (55)
Heavy Veh Mechanic (20)
Aircraft Mechanic (8)Tech Officers DFSM (2)
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
0
5
10
15
20
25
0
5
10
15
20
25
% C
adet
Str
engt
h
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Perc
enta
ge T
urno
ver
0 5 10 15 20 25 0 5 10 15 20
2005
Others
Interpersonal Relations
Career Development
2002 2003 2004 2005
2004
2003
2002
Army 8,539
Total Strength 10,446
Naval Service 1,055
Air Corps 852
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
2 E Bde
1 S Bde
4 W Bde
DFTC
NS
0
50
100
150
200
250
0
50
100
150
200
250
Potential NCOs Cse
2002 2003 2004 2005
Standard NCOs Cse
0 100
2005
2004
2003
2002
200 300 400 500 0 100 200 300 400
Pte to Cpl Cpl to Sgt
Sgt to CS/CQMS CS/CQMS to BSM/BQMS
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 350 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Personal Work
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Army Naval Service Air Corps
4
5
6
4
5
6
% C
adet
Str
engt
h
2005 11 9
2004 19 17
Instrumentalist DFSM (5)Medical Officers (4)
Marine Engineers (1)
Cadets (55)
Heavy Veh Mechanic (20)
Aircraft Mechanic (8)Tech Officers DFSM (2)
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
0
5
10
15
20
25
0
5
10
15
20
25
% C
adet
Str
engt
h
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Perc
enta
ge T
urno
ver
Table 4.1
��
Defence Forces ANNUAL REPORT 2005
��
Specialist Recruitment
SpecialistrecruitmentrelatestoOfficerCadets,Direct
EntrantsandApprentices(Technicians).Figure4.5
belowshowsthenumberofspecialistinductedinto
theDefenceForcesduring2005:
Officer Cadets
TheDefenceForcesembarkeduponapolicyof
wideningthebaseofentrytoofficercadetships
byincreasingthebonusmarksavailableforboth
graduatesandservingsoldiersandincreasingthe
upperagelimittotwenty-eight.Thenumberof
applicationsforofficercadetshipsin2005increased
by9.�%andtherewasasignificantincreasein
applicationsfrombothgraduatesandservingsoldiers.
Overseas Deployments
�,4�2membersoftheDefenceForcesdeployedto�8
differentMissionsin2005(�7%oftheArmy).TheHRM
SectiononbehalfofDCOS(Sp),alongwithFormation
andUnitCommandersareprimarilyresponsiblefor
theselectionofpersonnelforoverseasservice.The
selectionphase,involvingensuringreasonabletime
betweentoursoverseasaswellasadministrative
aspectoffitnesstests,medicalexaminations,dental
inspections,issueofclothingandequipmentand
processingofpassports,iscriticaltoproducing
appropriatelypreparedpersonnel.
Personnel Selected & Deployed to Overseas
Missions 2005
Mission Offrs NCOs Ptes Total
UNIFIL � � 6
UNMIL 48 2�4 5�0 8�2
UNTSO 7 7
MINURSO 8 8
UNMIK 2 2 4
MONUC 6 6
UNOCI 4 4
EUFOR �0 80 2 ��2
KFOR 56 �70 200 426
OSCE 8 8
EUMM 5 5
ISAF �2 9 2�
EUSudan&DITF 4 2 6
UNNY � �
UNDPKO � �
OSCEVienna � �
EUMS 2 2
PfP/NATO 2 2
Total Required ‘05 200 500 732 1,432
0 5 10 15 20 25 0 5 10 15 20
2005
Others
Interpersonal Relations
Career Development
2002 2003 2004 2005
2004
2003
2002
Army 8,539
Total Strength 10,446
Naval Service 1,055
Air Corps 852
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
2 E Bde
1 S Bde
4 W Bde
DFTC
NS
0
50
100
150
200
250
0
50
100
150
200
250
Potential NCOs Cse
2002 2003 2004 2005
Standard NCOs Cse
0 100
2005
2004
2003
2002
200 300 400 500 0 100 200 300 400
Pte to Cpl Cpl to Sgt
Sgt to CS/CQMS CS/CQMS to BSM/BQMS
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 350 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Personal Work
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Army Naval Service Air Corps
4
5
6
4
5
6
% C
adet
Str
engt
h
2005 11 9
2004 19 17
Instrumentalist DFSM (5)Medical Officers (4)
Marine Engineers (1)
Cadets (55)
Heavy Veh Mechanic (20)
Aircraft Mechanic (8)Tech Officers DFSM (2)
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
0
5
10
15
20
25
0
5
10
15
20
25
% C
adet
Str
engt
h
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Perc
enta
ge T
urno
ver
CadetTrevorGethinsis25yearsold
andcomesfromLifford,Co.Donegal.
HeenlistedintotheDefenceForces
in200�andfollowingrecruit
trainingwaspostedtothe4th
CavSqn,Longford.Aspartofthe
DefenceForceseducationscheme
hecompletedhisLeavingCertificate
in2004.Heservedoverseaswith
the9�rdInfBninLiberiain2005.
InOctober2005hewasawardedan
OfficerCadetshipandiscurrentlya
memberofthe82ndOfficerCadet
Class.
CadetMartinCrumlishis25years
oldandcomesfromMoville,Co.
Donegal.Followingcompletionofhis
LeavingCertificatein�998hestudied
attheUniversityofUlsterand
graduatedwithaB.Sc.inComputer
Science.InOctober2005hewas
awardedanOfficerCadetshipand
iscurrentlyamemberofthe82nd
OfficerCadetClass.
Table 4.2
�4�4
Whilethemaximumnumberdeployedoverseasat
anyonetime,during2005,was772,thenumber
ofpersonnelrequiredtobeselectedanddeployed
annuallyisgreater,thisisduetovaryinglengthsof
toursofdutyoverseasinlinewithrotationpolicy
(Forexample,deploymentstoUNMILandKFORwith
strengthsof406and2��respectivelyarecarriedout
twiceannually).Therequirementtotrainforand
deployoverseasremainsakeyoperationaloutputof
theDefenceForcesandthusanimportantchallenge
forHumanResourceManagers.
Human Resources Training and DevelopmentAkeycomponentofHRpolicywithintheDFistraining
andcontinuousprofessionaleducation.Itisthe
missionofDefenceForcesTrainingSectiontoseek
todeveloptheenvironment,encompassingdoctrine,
traininginfrastructure,andindividualandcollective
training,inordertoenhanceoperationaleffectiveness.
ToachievethisgoaltheAnnualTrainingDirective2005
establishedtheDefenceForcestrainingplanforthe
yearandassignedresponsibilitiesforthetrainingof
individualsandunits.Thistrainingplancoversthefull
spectrumofDefenceForcesoperations,conventional,
ATCP,PeaceSupportetc.
EducationandtrainingofDefenceForcespersonnel
isconductedbothinternally,withinthetraining
establishmentsoftheDefenceForces,andexternally
innonDefenceForcesInstitutionsbothathome
andabroad.CourseswithintheDefenceForcesfocus
oncoremilitaryskills,careercourses,management
trainingandinductiontraining.Themajorityofthis
trainingisconductedintheDefenceForcesTraining
Centre,theBrigadeTrainingCentres,theNavalCollege
andtheAirCorpsCollege.
ThebreakdownofpersonnelundergoingCareer
MilitaryEducationalTrainingCourses(brokendownby
formation)during2005isillustratedinTable4.�:
Type of Course DFTC AC NS 2 E Bde 1 S Bde 4 W Bde Total
Career-Officers ��7 5 �0 �52
Career-NCO’s 85 �5 66 68 5� �07
Career-Privates 8� 276 99 �� 489
Management-Officers 60 60
Management-NCO’s 22 �5 �7
Cadets �57 22 27 206
Recruits 58 52 �08 �44 �0 592
Apprentices/Technician
Training
22� �2 2��
Studentsofthe6�stCommandandStaffCoursereceivetheir
MA(LMDS)atNUIMaynooth.
Table 4.3
�5
Defence Forces ANNUAL REPORT 2005
�5
WhereexpertiseorskillsarerequiredwithintheDefence
ForcesbuttheDefenceForceslacksthecapacitytotrain
personnelaccordingly,trainingisconductedexternally.A
widerangeofskills,military,academicandtechnicalare
acquiredbyDefenceForcespersonnelthroughanumber
ofcomprehensiveschemessuchastheAdultEducation
SchemeandtheCoursesNecessaryforDefenceForces
RequirementsScheme.
PersonnelfromtheDefenceForcesparticipatedin
graduatecourses,postgraduatecourses,conferences,
visitsandseminarsbothathomeandabroadthrough
whichtheDefenceForcesobtainednecessaryskills,
qualificationsandexternalvalidationofitsapplicationof
internationalbestpractiseinanumberofcrucialareas.
Table4.4outlinesthebreakdownofexternalcourses
conductedbyDefenceForcespersonnelin2005.
Table 4.4
Type of Course Personnel
ThirdLevelCourses–FullTime �07
ThirdLevelCourse–PartTime �5
ExternalCoursesOtherThanThird
Level
��8
Initial Training of Defence Forces PersonnelThemannerinwhichinitialtrainingisconducted,and
specificallythemannerinwhichtraineesaretreated,
willleavealastingeffectonthenewentrants.Defence
Forcesinitialtrainingsystemsarekeptundercontinuous
reviewwiththeemphasisonthedutyofcareofthe
DefenceForcesforthewelfareofthoseintraining,while
alsoensuringthatsoldiersareproperlypreparedforthe
hazardstheymaymeetinoperations.
Leadership DevelopmentDuring2005theLeadershipCentreintheDefence
ForcesTrainingCentreconductedarangeofseminars
andworkshops.Instructiononleadership,group
dynamics,thepsychologyoflearningandHRissuesin
thetrainingenvironmentwerealsodeliveredtothe�st
AdvancedInstructorsCourse,whichincludedpersonality
questionnairesandfeedbackinterviews,conductedwith
aviewtoenhancingself-awarenessandencouraging
personaldevelopment.Casestudyworkshopsfocusing
onbullying,harassmentandsexualharassmentwere
conductedbytheDefenceForcesEqualityOfficerandthe
DefenceForcesPsychologist,aspartoftheprogrammeof
theLeadershipCentre.
Performance and Career ManagementAcriticalfeatureinmilitaryperformanceandcareer
managementisthedevelopmentoftransparentand
consistentmeasureofperformance.Thelinkingof
advancementanddevelopmentopportunitiesto
performanceiscentraltoHRM.Thestandardsexpected
andobligationsonDefenceForcespersonnelare
communicatedthroughinductionanddevelopmental
courses.Standardsarealsocommunicatedthroughthe
annualappraisalprocesswhichisformallydocumented
andthroughtheday-to-daymanagementprocesses.
Performance Appraisal InthecaseofOfficers,thecontinuousappraisalsystem
isformallylinkedtothepromotionsystem.Arevised
linkofappraisaltopromotionforNCOsandPrivates
wasdevelopedinHRMSectionin2005withthereview
oftheexistingPerformanceAppraisalReportand
PromotionSystemandthisisnowintheC&AForumfor
discussionwiththeRepresentativeAssociation.Infurther
developingtheDefenceForcesappraisalsystemthe
InterpersonalSkillsforLeadersprogramwascontinuedin
2005ineachFormation.
Career ManagementEnlisted Personnel Promotion
�0�enlistedpersonnelwerepromotedin2005.The
declineinthenumberofpersonneldischargedfromthe
DefenceForces,particularlyinthehigherranksoverthe
last4yearsisreflectedbythesefigures(Seefigure4.6).
StudentsoftheStandardNCOsCoursereceiveaHETACHigherCertificateinMilitaryStudiesonGraduation.
�6�6
Career Advancement Courses for Enlisted
Personnel
Therehasbeenasignificantreductionincareer
advancementcoursesforenlistedpersonnelinthelast
4yearsinlinewithdecreasesinturnoverparticularly
inthemoreseniorNCOranks,theeffectofwhich
cascadesdownthroughtheNCOranks.
Officer Promotion Competitions 2005
ThenewOfficerpromotionsystem,whichwasagreed
in2004forArmyandAirCorpsOfficerpromotion,
wasfurtheradvancedin2005withtheagreement
oftheNavalServiceOfficerpromotionsystembythe
PromotionReviewSub-CommitteeofC&ACouncil.
Officers Career Courses
Twoparticularcoursesareanessentialrequirementfor
promotion.In2005,atotalof2�Officerscompleted
theCommand&StaffCoursewhile25Officers
completedtheJuniorCommand&StaffCourseinthe
MilitaryCollege.
Reserve Defence Force (RDF)
Re-organisation
AsysteminrespectofpromotionfromCommandant
tothenewRDFrankofLieutenantColonelwas
developed,agreedwithReserveDefenceForce
RepresentativeAssociation(RDFRA)andformalised
withtherelevantAdministrationInstructionbeing
issuedinAugust2005.PromotionBoardswerethen
appointedandtrained,andlaterconductedinterviews
intheBrigadesandDFTCtheoutcomeofwhichsaw
thesuccessfulcandidatesbeingpromotedonthe�st
ofOctober2005,thedayofthelaunchofthe
re-organisedReserveDefenceForce.
Provision of a Safe and Supportive Work EnvironmentAsafeandsupportiveworkenvironmentisahigh
priority.Progressin2005isassessedunderthe
followingheadings:
n Equality&DignityintheWorkplace
n DefenceForcesPolicyonGenderEquality
n Diversity
n Work-Lifebalance
n Communication
Equality and Dignity in the WorkplaceAnumberofkeyareaswereadvancedin2005relating
toEqualityandDignityintheworkplace.
n TheDefenceForcescarriedoutawarenessbriefings
onallmattersrelatingto‘TheResponsetothe
ChallengeofaWorkplace’withallformations
andservicesbetweenOctober2004andJanuary
2005,whilebriefingsformembersoftheReserve
DefenceForcewereconcludedbytheendofthe
SummerCampsinlateAugust2005.
0 5 10 15 20 25 0 5 10 15 20
2005
Others
Interpersonal Relations
Career Development
2002 2003 2004 2005
2004
2003
2002
Army 8,539
Total Strength 10,446
Naval Service 1,055
Air Corps 852
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
2 E Bde
1 S Bde
4 W Bde
DFTC
NS
0
50
100
150
200
250
0
50
100
150
200
250
Potential NCOs Cse
2002 2003 2004 2005
Standard NCOs Cse
0 100
2005
2004
2003
2002
200 300 400 500 0 100 200 300 400
Pte to Cpl Cpl to Sgt
Sgt to CS/CQMS CS/CQMS to BSM/BQMS
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 350 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Personal Work
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Army Naval Service Air Corps
4
5
6
4
5
6
% C
adet
Str
engt
h
2005 11 9
2004 19 17
Instrumentalist DFSM (5)Medical Officers (4)
Marine Engineers (1)
Cadets (55)
Heavy Veh Mechanic (20)
Aircraft Mechanic (8)Tech Officers DFSM (2)
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
0
5
10
15
20
25
0
5
10
15
20
25
% C
adet
Str
engt
h
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Perc
enta
ge T
urno
ver
0 5 10 15 20 25 0 5 10 15 20
2005
Others
Interpersonal Relations
Career Development
2002 2003 2004 2005
2004
2003
2002
Army 8,539
Total Strength 10,446
Naval Service 1,055
Air Corps 852
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
2 E Bde
1 S Bde
4 W Bde
DFTC
NS
0
50
100
150
200
250
0
50
100
150
200
250
Potential NCOs Cse
2002 2003 2004 2005
Standard NCOs Cse
0 100
2005
2004
2003
2002
200 300 400 500 0 100 200 300 400
Pte to Cpl Cpl to Sgt
Sgt to CS/CQMS CS/CQMS to BSM/BQMS
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 350 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Personal Work
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Army Naval Service Air Corps
4
5
6
4
5
6
% C
adet
Str
engt
h
2005 11 9
2004 19 17
Instrumentalist DFSM (5)Medical Officers (4)
Marine Engineers (1)
Cadets (55)
Heavy Veh Mechanic (20)
Aircraft Mechanic (8)Tech Officers DFSM (2)
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
0
5
10
15
20
25
0
5
10
15
20
25
% C
adet
Str
engt
h
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Perc
enta
ge T
urno
ver
�7
Defence Forces ANNUAL REPORT 2005
�7
n ASeniorOfficerwithintheDefenceForcesHuman
ResourceManagementSectionatDefenceForces
Headquarterswasassignedresponsibilityforand
taskedwithadvancingEqualitymatters.
n TheDefenceForcesOmbudsmanwasappointedon
the�stofDecember2005.
n AfastdevelopingreviewofDefenceForces
regulationsandprocedureswillensurecompliance
withEqualityandEmploymentlegislation.
n DefenceForcesrecruitmentandcompetitions
procedureswerereviewedin2005andbarriers,
andperceivedbarriers,thatmightbeconsidered
discriminatorywereremovedfromtheinduction
andrecruitmentprocess.
n TheDesignatedContactPersons(DCP)process,
whichaimstoprovideavoluntaryinformal
resourceforpersonnelofanyrank,whomay
wishtodiscussanincidentofallegedbullyingor
harassmentorsexualharassment,wasfurther
progressedwithitsformallaunchinSeptember
2005.ThetrainingofDCPsandDCPTrainerswas
progressedandtheConsultativeTeamatNational
levelchairedbytheDirectorofHRMSection,
asenvisagedbythe‘ResponsetotheChallenge
ofaWorkplace’Report,wassetupandisfully
functional.
n TheEqualityAwarenessprogrammecontinuesto
berolled-outand,asapriority,hasfocusedtodate
ontheBrigadeandFormationCommandersand
theirHumanResourceandrecruitmentstaff.The
overalltargetistoembedequalityineverylevel
andfacetoftheorganisation.
Defence Forces Policy on Gender EqualityIntheDefenceForces,menandwomenhave
‘equalityofopportunity’foremploymentandcareer
advancementonthebasisofmeritandability.This
policyensuresthatdifferencesbetweenmenand
womenarenotusedunjustlyorunfairlytofavour
amanoverawomanorawomanoveraman.
Discriminationisprohibitedandallappointmentsand
ranksareopentoqualifiedpersonnelirrespectiveof
gender.ItisDefenceForcespolicythatallmembers
havearighttobetreatedwithrespectanddignityand
tocarryouttheirdutiesfreefromanyformofsexual
harassment,harassmentorbullying.Thiscommitment
requiresallpersonneltotreatcolleagueswithrespect
andensurethattheirownactionsandbehaviour
donotcauseoffenceorcontributetounacceptable
behaviour.
ThoseapplyingforGeneralService(maleandfemale)
areinterviewedattheendofeachrecruitment
campaignandarethenselectedonanequal
opportunitybasisandlistedinorderofmerit.Theyare
thencalledforenlistmentstrictlyincompliancewith
thislist.
Figure4.8belowillustratesthatfemalenumbershave
increasedfrom4.4%ofoverallstrengthin200�to5%
in2005.ThestrengthoffemalesintheAirCorpshas
notreachedthesamepercentageasintheArmyand
thisstemsfromthefactthattherewasnoGeneral
ServicerecruitmentintheAirCorpsfrom2002to2005.
0 5 10 15 20 25 0 5 10 15 20
2005
Others
Interpersonal Relations
Career Development
2002 2003 2004 2005
2004
2003
2002
Army 8,539
Total Strength 10,446
Naval Service 1,055
Air Corps 852
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
2 E Bde
1 S Bde
4 W Bde
DFTC
NS
0
50
100
150
200
250
0
50
100
150
200
250
Potential NCOs Cse
2002 2003 2004 2005
Standard NCOs Cse
0 100
2005
2004
2003
2002
200 300 400 500 0 100 200 300 400
Pte to Cpl Cpl to Sgt
Sgt to CS/CQMS CS/CQMS to BSM/BQMS
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 350 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Personal Work
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Army Naval Service Air Corps
4
5
6
4
5
6
% C
adet
Str
engt
h
2005 11 9
2004 19 17
Instrumentalist DFSM (5)Medical Officers (4)
Marine Engineers (1)
Cadets (55)
Heavy Veh Mechanic (20)
Aircraft Mechanic (8)Tech Officers DFSM (2)
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
0
5
10
15
20
25
0
5
10
15
20
25
% C
adet
Str
engt
h
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Perc
enta
ge T
urno
ver
TheMinisterforDefence
Mr.WillieO’DeaT.D.withfemale
NCOsduringarecentvisittoKosovo.
�8�8
Figure4.9belowillustratesthestrengthoffemale
OfficerCadetsasapercentageofArmyOfficerCadet
strength.
WhilefemaleapplicantsforGeneralServiceare
relativelylowtheDefenceForceshas,infiveyears,
doubledtheaveragepercentageintakeoffemale
OfficerCadets.Thisrepresentstheattainmentof
animportantequalitygoalinthatfemalejunior
commanders(supervisorsanddecisionmakers)are
beingpostedtoandareservinginlineUnits.
DiversityTheDefenceForcesconformstocurrentemployment
andequalitylegislationandadherestothe
Governmentstatedpolicyondiversity.Current
practicesintheDefenceForceshaveasabasisthe
mainobjectivesoftheGovernment’scommitment
ondiversity.AsearlierindicatedDefenceForces
recruitmentandcompetitionswerereviewedand
barriersandperceivedbarriersthatmightbe
considereddiscriminatorywereremovedfromthe
induction/recruitmentprocess.TheDefenceForcesis
committedtoembracingtheemergingdiversityinIrish
society.
Work-Life Balance TheDefenceForcescontinuedtoimplementvarious
work-lifebalanceinitiativesinlinewiththemilitary
ethosandcapabilityoutputs.
Table 4.5
Work-Life Balance
Leave Category Officers Enlisted
Personnel
Adoptive - �
Carers - �
Maternity �� 28
UnpaidMaternity 4 �
Ante/PostNatalCare - �
Paternity 24 84
TermTime 2 6
Inadditiontowork-lifebalancepolicydevelopment,
theDefenceForcesalsoprovidesanumberofwelfare
services.WelfareintheDefenceForcesconsistsofall
means,whichenrich,developorenhancethequality
ofthelivesofpersonnelandtheirfamilies.The
DefenceForcesoperatesaPersonnelSupportService
(PSS),whichisaconfidentialinformation,education,
supportandreferralservicedesignedtogiveour
personnelaccesstoinformationandservicesboth
fromwithinthemilitarycommunityandoutsideit.
TheDefenceForcescontracted‘StaffCare’toprovide
anindependent‘Helpline’andconfidentialcounselling
service,externaltotheservicesprovidedbythePSS,
forpersonnelinneedofemergencycounselling.This
serviceiswidelypublicisedwithintheDefenceForces.
Thenumberofcallsin2005isanindicatorofthelow
levelofworkplaceinterpersonalissuesnowbeing
encountered.
0 5 10 15 20 25 0 5 10 15 20
2005
Others
Interpersonal Relations
Career Development
2002 2003 2004 2005
2004
2003
2002
Army 8,539
Total Strength 10,446
Naval Service 1,055
Air Corps 852
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
2 E Bde
1 S Bde
4 W Bde
DFTC
NS
0
50
100
150
200
250
0
50
100
150
200
250
Potential NCOs Cse
2002 2003 2004 2005
Standard NCOs Cse
0 100
2005
2004
2003
2002
200 300 400 500 0 100 200 300 400
Pte to Cpl Cpl to Sgt
Sgt to CS/CQMS CS/CQMS to BSM/BQMS
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 350 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Personal Work
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Army Naval Service Air Corps
4
5
6
4
5
6
% C
adet
Str
engt
h
2005 11 9
2004 19 17
Instrumentalist DFSM (5)Medical Officers (4)
Marine Engineers (1)
Cadets (55)
Heavy Veh Mechanic (20)
Aircraft Mechanic (8)Tech Officers DFSM (2)
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
0
5
10
15
20
25
0
5
10
15
20
25
% C
adet
Str
engt
h
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Perc
enta
ge T
urno
ver
0 5 10 15 20 25 0 5 10 15 20
2005
Others
Interpersonal Relations
Career Development
2002 2003 2004 2005
2004
2003
2002
Army 8,539
Total Strength 10,446
Naval Service 1,055
Air Corps 852
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
0
50
100
150
200
250
300
350
2 E Bde
1 S Bde
4 W Bde
DFTC
NS
0
50
100
150
200
250
0
50
100
150
200
250
Potential NCOs Cse
2002 2003 2004 2005
Standard NCOs Cse
0 100
2005
2004
2003
2002
200 300 400 500 0 100 200 300 400
Pte to Cpl Cpl to Sgt
Sgt to CS/CQMS CS/CQMS to BSM/BQMS
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 350 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Personal Work
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Army Naval Service Air Corps
4
5
6
4
5
6
% C
adet
Str
engt
h
2005 11 9
2004 19 17
Instrumentalist DFSM (5)Medical Officers (4)
Marine Engineers (1)
Cadets (55)
Heavy Veh Mechanic (20)
Aircraft Mechanic (8)Tech Officers DFSM (2)
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
0
5
10
15
20
25
0
5
10
15
20
25%
Cad
et S
tren
gth
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Perc
enta
ge T
urno
ver
�9
Defence Forces ANNUAL REPORT 2005
�9
CommunicationPartnership (C&A)
TheDefenceForcesPartnershipSteeringGroup
continuedtomeetonaregularbasisandestablished
anumberofsub-committeeswhichdealtwith
specificissuessuchastherolloutofthePartnership
Frameworkintheorganisationandchildcarefacilities.
TheBrigade/ServicesPartnershipCommitteeswere
establishedthroughouttheorganisationandthese
committeeswillundergoformaltraininginthe
PartnershipConceptin2006.
FOI Requests
TheFreedomofInformationOfficereceivedatotalof
2�9requestsin2005,whichrepresentedanincreaseof
�7requests(�8%)on2004.Theincreaseinrequestsin
2005isattributabletothenumberofapplicationsfrom
unsuccessfulcandidatesinthe2005CadetCompetition
whorequestedfeedbackontheirperformance.
Journalistsmade6requests,businessgroupsmade4
requests,servingpersonnelsubmitted�07requests
and�22requestscamefromothersourceswhich
includedformermembersandfamiliesofdeceased
formermembers.
Table 4.6
Journalists Business Staff Others Total
2004 � � ��6 80 202
2005 6 4 �07 �22 239
Decisionsweremadeon2�5requestsduringtheyear
(andonerequestwastransferredandonerequest
waswithdrawn).�05requests(45%)weregranted,75
requests(�2%)werepart-grantedand�8requests(7%)
wererefused.�7requests(�6%)weredealtwithoutside
ofFOI,whichoriginatedmainlyfromunsuccessful
applicantsfortheCadetCompetition.�2requests(5%)
werereceivedforInternalReviewandfiverequests
wereacceptedbytheInformationCommissioner.
Table 4.7
Granted Part
Granted
Refused Transferred Withdrawn Total
2004 84 77 24 � �9 207
2005 �05 75 �8 � � 200
Duringthesummerof2005,internalprocedures
wereamendedtoallowservingpersonnelaccessto
theirpersonalfileatUnit,BrigadeandDFHQlevels.
Itisexpected,therefore,thatthenumberofrequests
forpersonalinformationfromservingpersonnelwill
decrease.
Table 4.8
StatusofInformationRequests
RequestsLive0�.0�.2005 7
Numberofrequestsreceived2005 2�9
NumberofDecisionsmade2005 2�5
TransferredandWithdrawn 2
NumberofrequestsLive��.�2.2005 9
Health CareDefenceForceshealthandfitnesspolicyaimsto
encourageahealthylifestyleforallpersonnelthrough
theuseofannualfitnesstesting,healthrelatedfitness
assessmentandthroughthedevelopmentofsports
policyandhealtheducation.ThereviewofDefence
Forcesmedicalservices,inpartnershipwiththe
RepresentativeAssociations,continuedin2005andwill
befinalisedin2006.Itwillseekasaprioritytoaddress
theshortageofdoctorsintheDefenceForces.Itwill
formthebasisoftheDefenceForcesHealthPolicy.
4040
Health & Fitness
Defence Forces Fitness Testing Table4.9belowoutlinesthepercentageofDefence
Forcespersonnelwhosuccessfullycompletedthe
DefenceForcesfitnesstestfrom2002to2005.
Table 4.9
Formation 2002 2003 2004 2005
�SBde 79% 72% 70% 68%
2EBde 56% 79% 68% 69%
4WBde 80% 69% 72% 70%
DFTC 62% 55% 49% 5�%
NavalService 4�% �8% �7% 46%
AirCorps 40% 62% 54% ��%
Total 64% 70% 62% 63%
Compulsory Random Drug Testing TheDefenceForcescommencedthethirdyearof
CompulsoryRandomDrugTesting(CRDT)in2005.
TheDefenceForcesDrugTestingTeamconductedall
testingoperationsinaccordancewithEUguidelines
forlegallydefensibleworkplacedrugtesting.Inthe
testingyear�,2�8personnelweretested(�,�84PDF
and54RDF)ofwhom7PDFpersonneltestedpositive
forcontrolledsubstances.Administrativeprocedures
wereinstigatedimmediatelyagainstthosethattested
positive.Table4.�0showstestingresultsfrom200�to
2005.
Table 4.10
Compulsory Random Drug Testing
Year Total
Tested
Positive
Tests
Administrative
Discharge
Scheduled/
Completed
200� �086 4 4
2004 ���0 4 4
2005 �2�8 7 7
Defence Forces Sports, Defence Forces Athletic Association (DFAA) & Conseil International Du Sport Militaire Participation (CISM)Thosevaluesthataremostreadilyassociatedwith
sportingprowessandabilityarealsothosethatare
mostsynonymouswithandequallyvaluedinthe
militarysphereofendeavour.Theseincludeleadership,
teamwork,dedication,fitness,andstamina.TheDFAA
nowcatersforfourteendifferentteamsports,which
includesbothMen’sandWomen’steams.In2005a
totalof27DefenceForceschampionshipstookplace,
and��representativegamesinalldisciplines.
TheInternationalMilitarySportsCouncil(Conseil
InternationalduSportMilitaire),knownbyitsacronym
“CISM”,isaninternationalsportsassociationopento
thearmedforcesofallnations.TheaimsofCISMare
todevelopfriendlyrelationsbetweentheArmedForces
ofmembernationsandpromotephysicaleducation
andsportsactivities.
In2005,theDefenceForcescompetedinatotalof
sevenCISMsportsandover�00personneltravelled
abroadrepresentingtheDefenceForcesinlocations
rangingfromKarachiinPakistantoSouthAfrica(See
table4.��over).TheDefenceForcesachievednotable
distinctionsbywinningtheDefenceForcesfirstCISM
GoldmedalintheBoxingChampionshipswithPte
HenryCoylewinninginSouthAfrica,andtheDefence
Forcessoccerteamwinningthebi-annualgame
againsttheFrenchforthefirsttimeinthehistoryof
thecompetition.
ThesixdisciplinesgovernedbytheDefenceForces
CouncilforAdventureTraining(DFCAT)support
confidencetrainingwhichisavitaldimensionof
militarylifewhereconfidenceinone’sphysical
andmentalabilityandequipmentisanessential
requirement.In2005anumberofcourseswere
conductedinallDFCATsports,toincreasethenumber
ofparticipantsandqualifiedpersonnelineacharea.
Theongoingprocurementofequipmentandcontinued
trainingofpersonnelthroughcoursesbothathome
andabroadwillcontinueinordertoensurethatbest
practiceandinstructionisavailabletoallDefence
Forcespersonnel.
PteHenryCoyle
celebratesonreceipt
ofhisgoldmedal.
4�
Defence Forces ANNUAL REPORT 2005
4�
Table 4.11 CISM Championship Events - 2005
Competition Competitors Location
Athletics-
Marathon
� CISMWorldC/ships
-Italy
Soccer 20 CISMBiannual-
France
Orienteering �2 CISMWorldC/ships
-Finland
Golf 6 CISMWorldC/ships
-Pakistan
RifleShooting 2 CISMC/ships-
Switzerland
Rugby 25 CISM-SouthAfrica
Boxing 2 CISMWorldC/ships
-SouthAfrica
Disciplinary Code & Administrative ProceduresIn2005theDefenceForcescontinuedtheprocess
ofreviewingitsDisciplinaryandAdministrative
Procedures.TheDefenceForcesLegalSectionin
conjunctionLegislationBranch,DODandtheOffice
oftheAttorneyGeneralundertookafundamental
reviewoftheDefenceForcesdisciplinarycode.This
reviewinvolvestheamendmentoftheDefenceAct,
withparticularreferencetoPartV-Discipline.The
subsequentamendmentoftheDefenceActwillbeput
beforetheOireachtasin2006.
TheDefenceForcescompletedreviewsofDefence
ForcesRegulationns(DFRs)relatingtotheintroduction
oftheOmbudsman(DFRA7),therestructuringofthe
ReserveDefenceForce(DFRR5)andtheintroduction
andTrainingofCadets(DFRA�).Additionallyanew
AdministrativeInstructionA�5wascompletedrelating
toOfficerpromotions.
TheDefenceForcesalsocommencedreviewsof
regulationsrelatingtoLeave(DFRA��),Criteriafor
continuanceinservice,extensionsandre-engagement
(DFAA�0)andDress(DFRA9).Reviewswerealso
commencedofAdministrativeProceduresrelating
toCompulsoryRandomDrugTesting(Administrative
InstructionA7,Chapter�)andOverseasService
(AdministrativeInstructionPart26).
ContextArticle29.�oftheConstitutionstates‘Ireland affirms its
devotion to the ideal of peace and friendly co-operation
amongst nations founded on international justice
and morality’.TheWhitePaperonDefence2000sets
outDefenceForcespolicyrequirementsinrelation
tointernationalandregionalresponsibilitiesarising
frommembershipoftheUNandourcommitment
toEuropeansecurity.TheDefenceForceshavea
proudtraditionofsuccessfulparticipationinpeace
supportoperations.Theoperationalexperience
gainedcontinuestoformasolidfoundationfrom
whichtofacethechallengesposedbythechanging
natureofinternationalconflictpreventionandcrisis
management.TheGovernmentdecidesonacase-by-
casebasiswhether,whenandhowtocommitDefence
Forcespersonneltosuchoperations.DefenceForces
participationisbasedonthetriplelock–Government
approval,DáilapprovalandUNauthorisation.
Thecontextforpeacesupportoperationshaschanged
significantlyfromearliermissionswhenconflicts
wereusuallyinter-stateandforcesnormallydeployed
followingapeaceagreement.Today’sconflictsare
moreoftenintra-stateorcivilwaroftenwithcross
borderdimensionsandifapeaceagreementisin
placeitisnotalwaysadheredtobyallpartiesto
theconflict.Theresponsetosuchsituationsisthat
peacekeepingmandatesarenowmorerobusttypically
underChapterVIIoftheUnitedNationscharter
andforcesmustbepreparedaccordingly.Ofthe�4
missionsthattheDefenceForcesnowparticipatein7
aredeployedunderChapterVIIoftheUnitedNations
Charter.
OneofthekeygoalssetoutintheWhitePaperon
Defence2000istheprovisionofalightinfantrybased
forcewithanappropriatelevelofallarmscapability
andtoprovidesufficientforcesandcapabilities
tomeetneedsathomeandtomakeasignificant
contributionabroad.Thesecapabilitiesareformally
expressedinourcommitmentstoInternational
Security,DefenceandCrisisManagementasfollows:
To participate in multinational peace support, crisis management and humanitarian relief operations.
42
Strategic Goal 3
n UNITED NATIONS STANDBY ARRANGEMENTS
(UNSAS):IrelandsubscribestotheUNSASunder
whichtheStateoffersupto850personnelon
overseasserviceatanyonetimeunderaUN
mandate.
n PARTNERSHIP FOR PEACE (PfP):Irelandhas
indicatedunderPfPthatitcanmakeavailableon
acasebycasebasisuptoanInfantryBattalion
GroupwithaNationalSupportElement(NSE),forPfP
activities.
n EU HELSINKI HEADLINE GOAL (HHG):850troopsare
offeredtotheHHG.Thetroopsareon�0daysNotice
toMove(NTM)fromthetimetheEuropeanCouncil
decidesthattheEUwilldeployaCrisisManagement
Operation.TheHHGPaletteofOffersprovidesfor
manycombinationsofunitsuptoamaximum
commitmentof850asshownintable5.�below.
Table 5.1
HHG Palette Of Offers
Type of Unit Strength
LightInfantryBattalion 650
LightInfantryBattalionGroup 750
LightInfantryCompany �00
Platoon–ArmyRangerWing 40
NBCPlatoon �0
TruckCargoContainerCompany �00
CIMICTeam �0
ExplosiveOrdnanceDisposalTeams �0
Augmentees �0
MilitaryPolice �0
Observers 20
Press/MediaGroup 06
InpreparationtomeettheseGovernmentcommitments
theDefenceForceshavedesignedaprocessthat
addressesandimprovesthesecapabilitieswithannual
DoctrinalReviews,OperationalAssessments,Mission
ReadinessExercises,OverseasDeployment,AfterAction
Reviews,LessonsIdentifiedandLessonsLearned.
In2005,OperationalAssessmentswereconductedto
determineprogressbeingmadeinregardtothe
preparationsfordeploymentofaStand-By-Battalion,
andotherelementsofthePaletteofOfferstothe
HelsinkiHeadlineGoal.Theaimoftheoperational
assessmentswastodeterminethestatusofBrigade
preparednessandoperationalreadinesstoparticipate
inoverseasoperations.Theassessmentswerean
in-depthexaminationofthelevelofpreparedness
oftheBrigadesintermsoftraining,personnel,
administration,logisticsandequipment.Theassessment
alsodeterminesCombatSupportandCombatService
Supportassetsthatcouldbedeployedandsustained.
TheresultsoftheOperationalAssessmentscanbeseen
inthesuccessfuldeploymentofunits,primarilyto
LiberiaandKosovobutalsotoBosnia&Herzegovina
andothermissionsoverseasasreferredtointhe
followingpagesofthissectionoftheAnnualReport.
Preparationsfortheprovisionofoverseasunitsare
basedonthe‘LeadBrigade’Conceptwherebynominated
Brigadeshavetheresponsibilityfortheprovisionofa
LightInfantryBattalionduringitsperiodonstandby
whichisnormallyforaperiodoftwelvemonths
incorporatingasixmonthpre-deploymentphasein
Irelandfollowedbyasixmonthdeploymentphase
overseas.Table5.2depictstheoperationoftheLead
BrigadeConcept.In2005theLeadBrigadeconcepthas
provedaneffectiveoperationaltoolinthepreparation
andprovisionofpersonneltomeetGovernment
commitmentstoUNSAS,PfPandtheHHG.
Defence Forces ANNUAL REPORT 2005
4�
44
Table 5.2 Lead Brigade Concept Periods of Stand-by & Deployment 2004- 2006
BDE/YEAR 2004 2005 2006
�SBDE KFOR
(Apr-Oct04)
UNMIL
(Dec04-Jun05)
KFOR
(Oct05-Apr06)
UNMIL
(May-Dec06)
2EBDE KFOR
(Oct0�-Apr04)
UNMIL
(Jun-Dec04)
KFOR
(Apr05-OCT05)
UNMIL
(Dec05-May06)
4WBDE UNMIL
(Dec0�-Jun04)
KFOR
(Oct04-Apr05)
UNMIL
(Jun-Dec05)
KFOR
(Apr06-Oct06)
DFTC TaskedwithsupportingtheLeadBdethroughout
Duetoitscurrentoverseascommitments,eachofthethreeDFBdeswilldeployasLeadBdetoeitherUNMILorKFORduringthecalendaryear.
DuringtheperiodimmediatelypriortodeploymenttheBdeinquestionwillbedesignatedasStand-ByBde.TheDFTCistaskedwithsupporting
therespectiveLeadBdes.
44
Thischapterreportsonprogressachievedin2005
basedontheframeworkoftheDefenceForcesStrategy
Statement2005-2007andtheChiefofStaff’sAnnual
PlanfortheDefenceForces2005.Progressisoutlined
againstthree(�)DefenceForcesObjectivesunderthis
StrategicGoal,whichare:
�) Toprovidemissioncapablemilitarypersonnel,
logisticsandequipmenttofulfillinternational
security,defenceandcrisismanagement
commitments.
2) TotrainDefenceForcespersonneltocontemporary
peacesupportstandardsincludinginteroperable
capabilitiesthatwillreadilyintegratewithother
armedforcesintheconductofmultinational
operations.
�) TocontributetothedevelopmentoftheEU
SecurityandDefencePolicy(ESDP).
Peace Support OperationsPeaceSupportOperations(PSO)mandatesare
increasinglyrobustandcomplex.Itisessential,
therefore,thatpersonneldeployedtothesemissions
arepreparedinaccordancewithawell-developed
threatassessment.Itisalwaysadvisabletoprepare
foraworst-casescenarioparticularlyinthecaseof
UNoperationswhereoutoftheatrereserveforces
arenotusuallymaintained.Thepreparationand
maintenanceoftheDefenceForcesalongconventional
linesfacilitatestheprovisionofthesepeacesupport
units,togetherwiththeuseofwell-preparedmission-
readinesstrainingexercisesandevaluation.Inthis
regardthereisconsiderablecrossoverbetweenthe
outcomesinStrategicGoal�andStrategicGoal�.
Thisisalsotrueintheareaoflogisticsdevelopment.
During2005,theDefenceForcescontinuedto
deploypersonnelonUNauthorisedpeacesupport
missionswiththeUNinLiberia,theEUinBosnia&
45
Herzegovina,NATO/PfPledmissioninKosovoand
withOSCEintheBalkans/EasternEurope.Inaddition
individualpersonnelandteamsmadevaluable
contributionsinplacesrangingfromAfghanistan,
Sudan,andDemocraticRepublicoftheCongo,The
IvoryCoast,WesternSahara,IndonesiatotheMiddle
East.In2005atotalof2059DefenceForcespersonnel
servedoverseaswiththreemaintroopcontributing
missions:
n UNMIL-��08
n KFOR-6�9
n EUFOR-��2
Meeting Government Commitments - Operations In2005theDefenceForcesdeployedunits/personnel
todesignatedmissionareas,therebyensuringthat
GovernmentcommitmentstoUN/EU/NATO-PfP/OSCE,
inrelationtotroopcontributionsforoverseasservice
werefulfilled.Table5.�overleafshowsthemissions
andtotalsofDefenceForcespersonneldeployedon
overseasserviceon�stJanuaryand��stDecember
2005.
Defence Forces ANNUAL REPORT 2005
45
Preparingforadawnpatrol
inKosovo(KFOR).
PatrollingavillageinLiberia(UNMIL).
Table 5.3 Defence Forces Overseas Strength – 2005
Mission 01 Jan 2005 31 Dec 2005 Remarks
UNITED NATIONS LED PEACE KEEPING OPERATIONS
UNMIL(Liberia) 428 4�9
UNMILFHQ 6 6
UNTSO(MiddleEast) �� ��
MINURSO(WesternSahara) 4 4
MONUC(DemocraticRepofCongo) � �
ONUCI(Coted’Ivoire) 2 2
UNMIK(Kosovo) 4 4
UNFICYP(Cyprus) � NIL ClosedMay’05
UNIFILHQ(Lebanon) 5 6
UNNY(NewYork) � �
UNJLC(SriLanka) 4 NIL ClosedMarch’05
TOTAL (UN) 473 460
EUROPEAN UNION LED CRISIS MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS
EUFOR(Bosnia&Herzegovina) 52 55
EUSPtoOPALTHEA(Belgium) � �
EUMM(TheBalkans) 5 6
AMM(Aceh) NIL �
DITF(Sudan) � � AddisAbaba
EUMS(Brussels) 6 5
ESDP(Brussels) 4 4
TOTAL (EU) 69 75
NATO/ PfP LED PEACE SUPPORT OPERATIONS
KFOR(Kosovo) �96 20�
KFORHQ �2 �2
ISAF(Afghanistan) 7 7
NATO/PfPStaff(Belgium) � �
TOTAL NATO/PfP 218 223
OSCE LED OPERATIONS
OSCE �2 8
TOTAL (OSCE) 12 8
TOTAL PERSONNEL OVERSEAS 772 766
4646
Toursofdutyareforfour,six,twelveortwenty-four
monthsresultinginatotalof2,204personnelserving
overseasforsomepartof2005.
Allelementscompletedpre-deploymenttrainingand
weresuccessfullydeployedtotheirassociatedmission
areasduringtheperiodinquestion.Agreedlevels
ofdeploymentonallmissionsweremaintained.
Figure5.�overshowsthemissioncategoriesinrespect
ofallDefenceForcesoverseasdeployments
in2005.
47
United Nations Mission In Liberia (UNMIL)
TheDefenceForcesmaineffortin2005,continuedto
betheUnitedNationsMissioninLiberia(UNMIL).The
IrishBattalioninLiberia,withaSwedishMechanised
companyunderoperationalcommand,continuedto
providetheQuickReactionForce(QRF),whichisthe
ForceCommander’sReserveunit,preparedforany
situationthatmightarise.Threeunits–the92nd,9�rd
and94thBattalions–sawserviceinUNMILduring2005.
During2005thefocusofUNMIL’seffortswastocreate
asecureandstableenvironmenttoenableLiberians
toelectademocraticgovernment,infreeandfair
elections.TheQRFwastaskedwithFramework,Reserve
andReactiveoperationsinsupportofthisgoal.
TheconductofLiberianelectionsforthePresidency,Vice
Presidency,theSenateandtheHouseofRepresentatives
onthe��thOctober2005andthePresidential‘run-
off’pollon9thNovember2005,markedthebusiest
operationalperiodforthe9�rdBattalion.Essentially
thegoaloftheUNMILoperationwastoensurethat
theelectionscouldbeheldinafairandopenmanner
andtopreventanybuildupofviolencethatmight
interferewiththeelectoralprocess.ThroughoutOctober
andNovembertheQRFwastaskedtomaintainahigh
profile,particularlyinthecityofMonrovia,whichis
recognisedasthe‘centreofgravity’forLiberianaffairs.
TheQRFdeployedtwomechanisedcompaniesinto
thecityconducting‘roundtheclock’patrollingfor
theperiod,andpreparedtoimmediatelyreacttoany
threateningsituationthatdeveloped.Afurthercompany
wasmaintainedonahighstateofreadiness(�hours
noticetomove)incampthroughouttheoperation.
Theplanwassuccessfulasthehighlyvisiblepresence
ofwell-equippedtroopsonthestreetsofthecitywasa
deterrenttoanypotentialtroublemakers.Thesecurity
providedbyUNMILpriortoandduringtheconduct
ofnationalelectionsinOctoberandNovember2005
contributedinnosmallwaytothesuccess.
“The peaceful conduct of the recent elections in
Liberia is a concrete testament to the invaluable
contribution they (the Defence Forces) have made as
that tragic country struggles to emerge from a cruel
civil war”1.
On2�November2005theNationalElectoral
CommissionreturnedMrsEllenJohnsonSirleafasthe
victorinthePresidentialelection,andsecurityplanning
commencedforherinaugurationinMonroviaon�6th
January2006.
Inlate2005theUNMILmandatewasfurtherextended
underthetermsofUNSecurityCouncilResolutions�626
and�6�8toprovidesecuritysupporttotheSpecialCourt
forSierraLeone(SCSL)inFreetown,inneighbouring
SierraLeone.Onthe�5thDecember2005,theIrish
Defence Forces ANNUAL REPORT 2005
47
0 5 10 15 20 25 0 5 10 15 20
2005
Others
Interpersonal Relations
Career Development
2004
2003
2002
NATO/PfPLed PSO (666)
OSCE Led Ops (13)
EU Led CrisisManagement (161)
UN PeaceKeeping (1,364)
� PresidentMaryMcAleese.Connect,Vol�0,Issue��,December2005
governmentauthorisedadditionalrolesforIrishtroops
servinginUNMILinrespectoftheSCSL.
SpecialCourtforSierraLeonebuildinginFreetown.
Theconceptofoperationsenvisagesthatshouldthe
needarisefortheevacuationofthestaffoftheSCSL
orthedetainees,amechanisedcompanyoftheQRF
wouldbedeployedintoSierraLeone.TheIrishledQRF
playsapivotalroleinthesecuritynecessaryforthis
courttooperateandbringtojusticethoseresponsible
forwarcrimesandcrimesagainsthumanity.
Theadoptionoflocalhumanitarianprojectsisa
featureofIrishpeacesupportoperations.During2005,
theIrishBattalion,undertookanumberofworthy
projectsthroughoutLiberia.
Thesehumanitarianeffortsweregreatlyassistedby
theannualcontributionof_�0,000fromIrish Aidfor
expenditureonapprovedprojects.Thefundraising
effortsoftheIrishtroopsgeneratedanadditional
_55,000.TheprojectsassistedbytheIrishBattalion
during2005included:
n AidsHospice–Monrovia
n AlfredandAgnesOrphanage
n HolyFamilySchool–Monrovia
n CarpentryApprenticeSchool–Saniquellie
n AdultEducationScheme–JatondoIDPCamp
n StDominic’sTechnicalSchool–Tubmanburg
FrGO’Neill,Chaplain92ndBattalionwithsomeLiberianchildrenat
anorphanage.
Kosovo Force (KFOR) TheDefenceForcescontinuedtoprovideanInfantry
GrouptotheNATO/PfP-ledKFORmissioninKosovo.
ThemajorityofIrishtroopsarepartoftheCzech
RepublicledMultinationalBrigadeCentre(MNB(C)),
whichalsoconsistsoftroopsfromFinland,Latvia,
SlovakiaandSweden.TheKFORmission,inaccordance
withUNSCR�244andinsupportoftheUnitedNations
MissioninKosovo,‘is to maintain a safe and secure
environment by keeping the initiative, having a firm
control of the key communities, and upholding its own
freedom of movement in order to set the conditions
for a peaceful and democratic society in Kosovo’.Irish
troopsaspartofMNB(C)successfullyimplementedthis
missionduringayearinwhichthesituationinKosovo
remainedvolatilebutrelativelycalm.KaiEide,the
UNSecretaryGeneral’sSpecialEnvoycompletedhis
reportontheComprehensiveReviewofStandardsfor
KosovoandfollowinghisrecommendationtotheUN4848
SecurityCouncilinSeptember2005,theUNtookthe
decisiontobegintalksonthefuturestatusofKosovoin
early2006.KFOR’sabilitytomaintainasafeandsecure
environmentwillbekeytothesuccessfuloutcome
tothesetalks.Amongsttheirwidevarietyoftasks,
DefenceForcespersonnelconductstandard‘framework’
operationssuchaspatrollingandtheconductof
vehiclecheckpoints;theyalsoparticipateincross
boundaryoperationswhicharedesignedtoenhance
inter-operabilitywithothercontingentsandfamiliarise
personnelwithkeyareas/locationsthroughoutKosovo
whichareoutsideoftheirownareaofoperations.
IrishtroopsonpatrolintheDrenicaValleyKosovo.
In2005,Irish Aidprovidedfundingof_50,000tothe
DefenceForcesunitsinKFORforthecompletionof
threeapprovedhumanitarianprojectsintheirareaof
operations,namely:
n Theconstructionofaclassroomextension,the
diggingofanewwellandthebuildingofanew
toiletblockforthelocalschoolinthevillageof
Banjica.
n Theconstructionofanoutdoorsportsfacilityin
GornjaGusterica.
n Theconstructionofanoffice/trainingfacilitythe
villageofStimljefortheHandikosorganisation
workingwiththephysically/mentallyhandicapped.
InadditiontotheIrish AidprojectsIrishtroopsserving
inKFORraisedapprox_�5,000whichwasusedto
supportotherhumanitarianprojectsintheirareaof
operations.
RenovationstolocalschoolinBanjicainprogress.
European Union Force (EUFOR) – OPERATION ‘ALTHEA’ – Bosnia & HerzegovinaOn2ndDecember2004,SFOR(NATO-ledmission)was
replacedbyanEUmilitarymissionundertheEuropean
SecurityandDefencePolicy(ESDP),knownasOperation
‘ALTHEA’orEUFOR.TheDefenceForcescontinuesto
fulfilitscommitmenttotheAustrian-ledmulti-national
TaskForcebasedinTuzlaandprovidesStaffOfficers
andpersonneltoEUFORHQinSarajevo
HazardouswinterroadconditionsinBosnia&Herzegovina.
AspartofamultinationaltaskforceinBosnia&
Herzegovina,Irelandcontinuestoactas‘leadnation’
forthemilitarypoliceunitandtheverificationteams,
thusprovidingacentralheadquartersroleinrespectof
theseelements.TheDefenceForcesmilitarypolicerole
involvestheprovisionoftheProvostMarshalforthe
TaskForceandenablesittobuildontheexperienceof
itspreviousmilitarypolicedeployments.
49
Defence Forces ANNUAL REPORT 2005
49
Theverificationteams,towhichFinlandandPortugal
alsocontributedin2005,wereinvolvedininspecting
weaponandammunitionstoragesites,monitoring
themovementofarmsandtroopsandsupervisingthe
trainingofthetwo(2)forcesinBosnia&Herzegovina.
Thisistoensurebothsidescomplywiththeir
obligationsundertheDaytonaccord.
International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) – AfghanistanThroughout2005theDefenceForcescontinuedto
deploypersonnelonafour(4)monthtourofduty
toISAFHQandtotheKabulMulti-NationalBrigade
(KMNB)aspartoftheInternationalSecurityAssistance
Force(ISAF)inAfghanistan.ThePresidentialelection
heldinlate2004wasthefirstelectiontobeheldin
Afghanistansincethe�960’s.PresidentHamidKarzai
wassworninon7thDecember2004.Parliamentary
andlocalelectionsweresuccessfullyconductedin
2005andtheinauguralmeetingoftheParliamentary
houseswereheldinJanuary2006.Notwithstandingthe
ongoingsecurityissuestheinternationalcommunity
hasreaffirmeditscommitmenttoAfghanistan
withtheAfghanConcept,issuedinJanuary2006,
whichseeslargeinternationalcontributionsfurther
developthecountryinthecomingyears.IrishStaff
OfficersoperatinginISAFHQoperatewithinthe
informationoperationsbranch,whichcontributes
totheHQ’sinformationstrategy.Thisinvolvesacting
asliaisonbetweenISAFHQandtheGovernmentof
Afghanistan,InternationalOrganisationsandNon
GovernmentalOrganisations.Personnelareemployed
intheCombinedJointOperationsCentreISAFHQ
andintheKabulMultiNationalBrigade(KMNB).
ThepersonnelintheKMNBareemployedasliaison
teamswithspecificresponsibilityforliaisonwiththe
UnitedNationsAssistanceMissiontoAfghanistanand
theAfghanSecurityPartners.Thisinvolvesregular
meetingsandcoordinationwithmanyAfghani
GovernmentDepartments,theUnitedNationsand
otherinternationalorganisations.
MapofAfghanistan
United Nations Joint Logistics Centre (UNJLC) – Sri Lanka
InresponsetotheIndianOceanTsunamithattook
placeon26thDecember2004theDefenceForces
deployedateamofspecialistlogisticofficerstothe
UnitedNationsJointLogisticsCentre(UNJLC)inSri
Lankafromthe�7thofJanuaryuntil�0thofMarch
2005.TheUNJLCoperatedundertheauspicesofthe
WorldFoodProgramme(WFP),aninteragencyfacility
whosemandateistocoordinateandoptimisethe
logisticscapabilitiesofhumanitarianorganisationsin
large-scaleemergencies.
TheIrishteamwereassignedtasksinrelationtoroad
andtransportassessmentsaswellaswithgathering,
compilinganddisseminatinginformationforallUN
Agencies,ForeignMilitaryandInternationalNon
GovernmentalOrganisations(INGOs).TheIrishteam
alsoparticipatedatMilitaryCoordinationmeetings
hostedbytheSriLankanArmyandattendedbysenior5050
ComdtMaryCarrollservedas
InformationOperationsPlanning
OfficerintheTheatreInformation
CoordinationCentreinISAFHQ,
Kabul,Afghanistanduring2005.
Shewasresponsibleforthe
planningandmonitoringof
InformationOperationscampaigns
intheISAFAreaofOperations.
Comdt.DamienMcEvoyinspects
thedamageintheaftermathoftheTsunami.
Irish in KABUL
representativesofallforeignmilitaryforcesproviding
supporttoSriLanka.
Disaster Relief – USAIntheaftermathofHurricaneKatrina,themost
destructivenaturaldisasterinthehistoryoftheUnited
StatesofAmerica,theDefenceForcesconducted
contingencyplanningtodeploytotheNewOrleans
declareddisasterareatoprovidehumanitarian
assistanceinordertosupporttheEUreliefeffort.
TheDefenceForcesofferedtoprovidematerialsand
personnelandtooperateinahumanitarianassistance
role.
TheDefenceForcesplacedthefollowingitemson
standbyintheeventoftheirbeingrequired:
nCampIreland–atentedaccommodationcampfor
500displacedpersons
nSupplyandoperatetwowatertreatment/
purificationplants,and
n�,000rationpacks.
CyprusTheDefenceForcesassociationwiththeUNForce
inCyprus(UNFICYP)endedinMay2005.Sincethe
inceptionofUNFICYPin�964,membersoftheDefence
Forcescompletedsome9,655toursofdutyonthe
island.
Aceh Monitoring Mission FollowingarequestfromtheEUtoMemberStates,the
DFdeployedateamofofficerstotheAcehMonitoring
Mission(AMM)inIndonesia,whichwaslaunchedby
theEUonthe�5thofSeptember2005.Theaimofthe
missionistomonitortheimplementationofthepeace
agreementconcludedbytheGovernmentofIndonesia
andtheFreeAcehMovement(GAM)onthe�5thof
August2005.Thekeytasksofthemissionare:
nTomonitortherelocationofnon-organic
Indonesianmilitaryforcesandnon-organicpolice
personnel;
nTomonitorrespectfortheendofhostilities
betweentheparties;
nTomonitorthedemobilisationofGAMfightersand
todecommissiontheirarmaments;
nTomonitorthereintegrationofGAMmembersinto
civilsociety;
nTomonitorthehumanrightssituationinthe
contextofthedisarmamentanddemobilisationof
activeGAMmembers;
nTofulfillcertainresponsibilitiesinrulingon
disputedamnestycasesinlinewithagreeddispute
settlementprocedures;
nToinvestigateandfulfillresponsibilityinrulingon
complaintsandallegedviolationoftheMOU.
Observer & Staff MissionsIn2005theDefenceForcessuppliedobserversto7
UN/EU/OSCEObservermissions,coveringatotalof
�4differentcountries,includingSudan,Democratic
RepublicofCongo(DRC),WesternSaharaandtheIvory
CoastinAfrica,toJerusalem,BeirutandDamascusin
5�
Defence Forces ANNUAL REPORT 2005
5�
During2005BQMSJoeQuigley
deployedtoAddisAbabaas
AdministrationOfficertothe
EUSpecialRepresentative.
TheEUSeniorMilitaryOfficer
hadthistosayofBQMSQuigley
“He was entrusted with very large
sums of money to pay bills for
accommodation, air travel, vehicles
and offices for the EU Officers
deployed in support of the AU
mission in Sudan (AMIS). His honesty
and integrity were at all times
beyond reproach. Additionally he
had to take care of the multi-million
euro CIS account and keep control of
all the EU equipment issued to
officers in Ethiopia and Sudan”.
TheFlagisloweredfor
thelasttimeonIrish
participationinthe
UNmissioninCyprus
(UNFICYP)
ComdtBHughes
acceptingthelast
GAMweaponto
besurrenderedto
theEUweapons
decommissioning
teams.
52
theMiddleEast,theBalkansandGeorgiainEurope.
InadditiontheDefenceForcescontinuedtosupply
asmallcomplementofstafftotheUNIFILFHQin
Lebanon.Officersarealsodeployedtothemilitary
staffsatUNHQinNewYork,theEUandNATO/PfPat
BrusselsandOSCEinVienna.TheDefenceForcesalso
deployedpersonneltoAddisAbabaaspartoftheEU
advisorygrouptotheAfricanUnion(AMIS��)mission
inDarfur.
Development of capabilities to participate in multinational Peace Support Operations
“When I attended the opening of your United
Nations Training School in 1994, I remarked that
the founding of the school was evidence of Ireland’s
commitment to ensuring a quality contribution to
United Nations missions. I am gratified to see that,
eleven years on, that commitment remains strong”2.
Thesecondkeyobjectiveassociatedwiththisstrategic
goalrequirestheDefenceForcestotrainunitsand
personneltocontemporarypeacesupportstandards,
toensuretheymeettherequisitestandardsof
proficiencyandoperabilityinamultinationalpeace
supportoperation’senvironment.TheDefenceForces
UnitedNationsTrainingSchoolIreland(UNTSI),
whichisbasedintheDefenceForcesTrainingCentre,
developsdoctrine,andconductstrainingcourses
andseminarstoprepareDefenceForcespersonnel
priortoservingoverseas.UNTSIalsoprovides
instructiononPeaceSupportOperationstostudents
attendingcourseswithintheMilitaryCollege.The
schoolalsotrainsIrishandInternationalstudents
forUNPeaceSupportOperations.Inadditionto
coursesandseminars,UNTSIreceivesandbriefs
membersoftheDiplomaticCorps,IrishandForeign
AcademicsandDefenceAttachesaccreditedto
Ireland.UNTSIisamemberoftheInternational
AssociationofPeacekeepingTrainingCentreswith
Staffattendingpeacekeepingseminarsbothnationally
andinternationally.UNTSIstaffalsoparticipatein
instructorexchangeprogrammeswithanumberof
peacekeepingtraininginstitutionsinothercountries.
During2005UNTSIconductedabroadrangeofcourses
andseminarsandthisisdetailedinTable5.4.
522 KofiAAnnan,SecretaryGeneralUN,AnCosantóir,UNSpecial2005
Figure 5.2
Mapshowingthelocationofthevarious
missionsinwhichDefenceForcespersonnel
participatedduring2005.
MINURSO
5�5�
Table 5.4
Course Title No. of
courses
conducted
Number of
personnel
InternationalHuman
RightsTraintheTrainers
CourseforMilitary
Personnel*
� 40
UNMilitaryObserver
Training
� �0
Debrief9�InfBnUNMIL � 29
Debrief28InfGpKFOR � �0
ISAF(Afghanistan)
Training
� ��
KFOR(Kosovo)Training � 74
CivilMilitary
CooperationCourse
2 62
UNMIL(Liberia)Training 2 9
UNTSO(MiddleEast)
Training
� 2
InternationalMilitary
ObserverandStaff
OfficersCourse
� 20
EUFOR(Bosnia)Training � 2
InternationalMPCourse � 22
UNSeminar � �6
*ConductedinUNTSIbyUNofficeofHCHR
Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC) and Human Rights Law UnitedNationsTrainingSchoolIreland(UNTSI)has
beendesignatedbytheChiefofStaffasacentreof
excellencefortraininginHumanRightsLawandthe
LawofArmedConflict(LOAC).Thecentrewasmade
availabletotheUNOfficeoftheHighCommissioner
forHumanRights,inMarch2005foraninternational
instructorscourseonHumanRightsformilitary
personnel.TenDefenceForcespersonnelqualifiedas
trainersonthiscourse.Followingthisinitiativethe
DefenceForceshavedevelopedacoherentdoctrine
onhumanrightsandtheLOAC,conformingto
internationalbestpractise.AllDefenceForcescareer
coursesnowincludeinstructiononHumanRights
LawandtheLOAC.Allpersonneltravellingoverseas
attendLOACandhumanrightslecturesduringpre-
deploymenttraining.TheDefenceForcesalsoassisted
theNationalUniversityofIrelandMaynooth(NUIM)
ontheirInternationalCourseonHumanRights,
conductingexercisesforstudentsintheDFTC.Human
RightsandLOACnowformanintegralpartofDefence
Forcesoperationaldoctrine.
Civil Military Co-Operation (CIMIC)CivilMilitaryCo-ordination(CIMIC)involvestheuseof
militaryresourcesinsupportofthecivilianpopulation.
Theprovisionofmilitarysupportisalignedwith
nationalactivities,GovernmentagenciesandNGOs.
Defence Forces ANNUAL REPORT 2005
InstructorsandstudentsoftheInternationalHumanRightsTrain
theTrainersCourseforMilitaryPersonnel.
54
DefenceForcesCIMICdoctrineisbasedonaccumulated
experiencefrommanymissionsabroad,andisfirmly
routedininternationalbestpractice;itrespects
humanitarianspaceandtheroleofbothUNagencies
andNGOs.2005sawtheDefenceForcesexpandits
involvementinCIMICoperationswithpersonnel
servinginCIMICappointmentsinLiberiaandBosnia&
Herzegovina.Projectscompletedinco-operationwith
agencies,NGO’sandconsultantsincludedthebuilding
ofbridges,distributionofvaccines,conservationof
anationalpark,thereturnofinternallydisplaced
personsandtherepatriationofprisonersofwar.
Peace Support Operations - Preparation AllmembersofIrishcontingentstravellingoverseas
during2005underwentacomprehensiveseriesof
briefings,whichpreparedthemfortheirdutiesin
mission.Thesebriefingscoveredareassuchassecurity
awareness,cultureandcustoms,andrefreshedtheir
knowledgeofLOAC,HumanRightsandCIMIC.
ThepreparationforIrishcontingentstravellingto
KFORandUNMILinvolvedaspeciallydesignedfour
phasetrainingprogramme.Phase�encompassed
preparationandadministrationofindividualsfor
overseasservice.InPhase2thetroopsunderwent
refresher/continuationtrainingandup-skillingbased
onconventionalmilitaryskillsrequirements.Phase�
involvedatailoredpre-deploymentprogrammelasting
fourweeksstartingwithmissionspecificbriefingsand
modulesonparticularskillsrequiredforthemission
andmovingtointensivetacticaltrainingmodules.It
includedstafftrainingwiththeCommandandStaff
trainersimulator.Tacticaldrillsandprocedureswere
practicedbyalltroopsduringspeciallydesigned
pre-deploymentsituationaltrainingexercises.The
unitscompletedlivefiretacticaltraininganda
Battleinoculationexercise.Thephaseculminated
inaMissionReadinessExerciseforeachUnit.This
exercisehasundergoneconsiderabledevelopment
inrecentyearstoensureitcomprehensivelyverifies
andvalidatesallaspectsofpredeploymenttraining.
In2005itinvolvedthedeployingunitsmechanised
companiesbeingevaluatedinahightempoexercise
overaseventy-twohourcontinuousperiod.Inthe
missionarea,trainingcontinuedbothwithinthe
contingentandonacollectivebasiswithother
nationalities.Alltrainingwasgearedatmission
readiness,inensuringthattheIrishcontingentwas
fullyinteroperablewithotherUNMIL/KFORelements
andcapableofrespondingtoallmissionrequirements
especiallycontingenciesthatwerenotforeseenpriorto
deployment.Table5.5outlinesthenumberofpeace
supportexercisesconductedin2005.
54
AMOWAGAPCpassesthe
flagofSierraLeone.On
the�5thDecember2005,
theIrishgovernment
authorisedadditionalroles
forIrishtroopsservingin
UNMILinrespectofthe
SpecialCourtforSierra
LeoneinFreetown.
MinisterforDefenceMr
WillieO’Deapaysacourtesy
visittoMrPaddyAshdown,
EUSpecialRepresentative
toBosniaandHerzegovina,
duringavisittotheEUFOR
Mission.
55
Defence Forces ANNUAL REPORT 2005
55
European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP)ESDPcontinuestoevolveowingtochangesinthe
Europeangeopoliticallandscape.Increasingly,
proactiveandpreventativeapproacheswhichentail
arangeofco-ordinatedinstruments(political,
diplomatic,humanitarian,policing,economicand
military)intheformofregionalcrisismanagement
operationsareseenasnecessarytoensurestabilityand
todefendagainstthreatstosecurityintheEuropean
sphere.IrishstaffatBrusselssupportedbyhomestaff
continuetocontributetothedevelopmentofESDPin
accordancewithGovernmentpolicy.
TheRequirementsCatalogue,developedduring2005
isbasedonabroadrangeofscenariostakinginto
accountarealisticlevelofthreat,includingterrorist
threat,andsettingsforman-madeandnatural
disastersagainstwhichcapabilityrequirementshave
beenderivedforplanningpurposes.
Partnership For Peace PartnershipforPeace(PfP)waslaunchedinJanuary
�994asaco-operativesecurityinitiativedesignedto
intensifypoliticalandmilitaryco-operationinEurope,
promotestability,reducethreatstopeaceandbuild
strengthenedrelationshipsbypromotingpracticalco-
operationamongstitsparticipants.
ArisingfrommembershipofPfP,Irelandagrees
PartnershipGoals(PG)throughthePlanningand
ReviewProcess(PARP)onabi-annualbasis.The
individualgoalsarefocusedoncontinuallyimproving
ouroperationalcapabilityandreadinessforPeace
SupportOperations.
In2005theDefenceForcesundertookaSurveyof
OverallInteroperabilityinPARP.Thesurvey,whichwas
conductedbyanexternalvalidationteam,isadetailed
analysisoftheDefenceForcesprogressinachieving
itscurrentPGpackageofthirty-threegoalsfor2004
–2006.Generallygoodprogresswasreported,afact
thatwillunderpintheprocessofagreeinganupdated
packagefor2006–2008.
In2005,theDefenceForcescarriedoutits2005
IndividualPartnershipProgrammewherebythe
DefenceForcesparticipatedinoverseventy-eight
events.TheseeventsenabledtheDefenceForces
toensurethatitmaintaineditsawarenessofthe
bestinternationalPeaceSupportOperations,Crisis
ManagementOperationsandHumanitarianRelief
practiceanddoctrine.Theinsightsgainedfromthese
eventswereusedinthedevelopmentandrefinement
ofDefenceForcesproceduresanddoctrine.
Table 5.5 PSO Mission Readiness Exercises 2005
Exercise Number of
Exercises
Conducted
Number of Personnel Exercised
DFTC 1 S Bde 2 E Bde 4 W Bde
HumanRightsFieldExercise � 28
MissionReadinessExercises–KFOR 2 2�5 240
MissionReadinessExercises–UNMIL 2 492 ��7
CommandPostExercises � 22
PeaceSupportOperationsExercise‘NEW
DAWN’
� 5�6
Total 7 28 77� 7�2 ��7
WesternPartrol,Kosovo.
Onthe7thNovember2005Col
FergusBushellwasappointedasthe
EUMilitaryStaffLiaisonOfficerto
theUNinNewYork.ColBushellis
responsibleforliaisonwiththeUN
Secretariat,inparticularwiththe
DeptofPeacekeepingOperationson
militaryanddefencematters.
ContextSupportofessentialservicesinanemergencyoran
industrialdispute,isprimarilytheresponsibilityof
thefunctionalGovernmentDepartment.However,
occasionsmayarisewhenthecivilauthoritiesrequest
theassistanceoftheDefenceForcesincarryingoutthe
taskofmaintainingandrestoringessentialservices.
TheDefenceForceshasarangeofcapabilitiesthat
canbeutilised,whenavailable,toprovideservicesto
Governmentdepartmentsandagencies.
Contingency planningContingencyplanningforAidtotheCivilAuthority(ACA)
operationsisanongoingprocesstoprovideforthe
variousACAoperationsthatmayoccur.Aspartofthe
planningprocess,co-ordinationandliaisonwithrelevant
Governmentdepartmentsandlocalauthorities(including
InterdepartmentalWorkingGroupsandotheragencies)is
conductedonaregularbasis,toensurethatappropriate
arrangementsareinplacetomeetcontingencies.
Theprimaryfocusistosuccessfullysupportthecivil
authoritiesinmaintainingandrestoringessential
services.
OneofthemajorGovernmentsupportservicesprovided
bytheDefenceForcesisfisheryprotection.TheNaval
ServiceandAirCorpsareresponsibleforthejoint
deliveryofthissupportservicetotheDepartmentof
Communications,MarineandNaturalResources(DCMNR).
Thischapterreportsonprogressachievedin2005
basedontheframeworkoftheDefenceForcesStrategy
Statement2005-2007andtheChiefofStaff’sAnnualPlan
fortheDefenceForces2005.
ProgressisoutlinedagainstfourDefenceForces
ObjectivesunderthisStrategicGoal,whichare:
�) Tomeettheneedsofgovernmentinprovidingfishery
protection.
2) Toensurethatthedeliveryofemergency,
non-emergencyservicesandassistancetothecivil
authoritiesiscarriedoutefficientlyandeffectively.
�) TocontributetothedevelopmentofEmergency
Planning.
56
To provide emergency and non-emergency services to Government Bodies.
Strategic Goal 4
Duringthe50thanniversaryofIreland’saccessiontotheUNon�4th
Dec2005,theMinisterforDefenceMr.WillieO’DeaT.D.meetsCongo
veterans,Cpl.MichaelConnolly,Sgt.GerardHigginsandSgt.Timothy
O’Sullivan.
4) Tosecureworkingprotocolsbymeansof
ServiceLevelAgreements(SLAs)withallclient
departments,agenciesandservicerecipientsfor
theprovisionofservices.
Provision of a Fishery Protection ServiceTheWhitePaperonDefence2000assigns,tothe
DefenceForces,theroleofproviding‘a fishery
protection service in accordance with the State’s
obligations as a member of the European Union’1.
Ireland’sexclusivefisherylimitsextendto200nautical
milesandencompassanareaof��2,000squaremiles.
InthisseaareaIreland,togetherwithothermembers
oftheEU,hassovereignrightsovertheseafisheries.
Inadditiontothisseaarea,Irelandhasexclusive
sovereignrights,ofvaryingsignificance,overalmost
250,000squaremilesofseaarea.Ireland’ssovereign
rightsovertheseabedandthesub-seabedresourcesin
thisareaarenotopentootherEUmemberstates.
Thefisheryprotectionserviceisjointlydeliveredtothe
DepartmentofCommunications,MarineandNatural
Resources(DCMNR)bytheNavalServiceandAirCorps.
TheNavalServiceisthemainproviderandisassisted
inanair-monitoringrolebytheAirCorps.
Naval Service Patrol Days Fromatargeteffortof�680patroldaysin2005,the
NavalServicemetitstargetwith�682daysonPatrol.
Ofthesedays,�565days(or9�%ofthetotal)were
dedicatedtoFisheriesProtectionduties.Thisfigure
amountstoanincreaseof77daysoverthatwhich
wasachievedin2004,whichrepresentsanincrease
ofjustover5%.Thisincreaseisagainconsistentwith
theNavalServiceImplementationPlanforFishery
Protection.
Table6.�breaksdowntheNSFisheryProtectioneffort,
asof��stDecember2005.
Table 6.1
Nationality Sightings Boardings Detentions Warnings
Irish �,20� 899 22 78
IrishRegSpanish 27 2� 2 �
Spanish 588 50� 4 6
UK 89 78 0 6
UKRegSpanish 98 82 2 �
French �8� �24 8 ��
Belgian �7 �2 0 �
German �� �� � �
Dutch 25 �5 0 2
Russian 76 �6 0 0
Norwegian ��5 55 0 0
Japanese 2 � 0 0
Faroese 22 �0 0 0
Portuguese � � 2 0
Total 2,677 2,068 41 111
Air CorpsTheAirCorpsoperatestwoCASACN2�5maritime
patrolaircraftinsupportoftheNavalService.In
additionCessnaaircraftareusedtomonitorinshore
fishing.In2005,theAirCorpsflew278maritime
surveillancemissionsinsupportoftheNavalService
intheirfisheryprotectionrole.Thesemissionstotalled
over�,�82hoursand2882sightingsoffishingvessels
weremade.
Defence Forces ANNUAL REPORT 2005
57� WhitePaperonDefence2000,Para�.�.�
L.E.Niamh
departson
FisheryPatrol.
58
Table 6.2 Offshore patrols conducted by the
Air Corps in 2005
Aircraft Patrols Flight
Hours
Vessels
Logged
CASA 247 �,�07 2,882
CESSNA �� 75 N/A
Total 278 1,382 2,882
Aid to the Civil Authority DefenceForcespersonnelprovidedassistanceto
localandcivilauthoritiesacrossabroadspectrumof
activitiesduring2005.Foroperationalandprocedural
purposes,ACAoperationsarecategorisedasfollows:
n Majoremergenciesandnaturaldisasterssuchas
fires,explosions,floods,gasreleases,spillageof
dangeroussubstances,animaldisease(footand
mouth),blizzardsormajoraccidents.
n Maintenanceofessentialservicesarisingfrom
industrialdisputessuchasbus,ambulance,fire,
prison,fuelsupply,watersupplyorrefusestrikes.
n Provisionofnon-emergencytaskssuchascourier
service(electionsorreferenda),technicalengineer
adviceandassistance,andcateringandtransport.
TheDefenceForcesprovidedassistancetothecivil
authorityduring2005asfollows:
Prison Officers DisputeDuring2005theDefenceForcespreparedandtrained
2,000personnelforabroadrangeofsupporttothe
IrishPrisonService.Thesepersonnelremainedon
generalstandby;intheeventthesupportwasnot
required.
Ambulance Drivers DisputeTheDefenceForcesconductedcontingencyplanning
inrespectofthemaintenanceofessentialservices
threatenedbyindustrialactioninvolvingSouthEastern
HealthBoardambulancepersonnel.TheDefence
ForceswerepreparedtoprovideanEmergency
AmbulanceServicefromMay2005toassisttheSouth
EasternHealthBoard,ifrequired.Theindustrialaction
wasresolvedandDefenceForcesassetsandresources
werenotrequired.
Provision of a Ministerial Air Transport Service (MATS)TheMATSprovidessecuretransporttoAntUachtarán,
AnTaoiseach,AnTánaiste,membersofGovernment
andtheirstaffs.Internationalflightsarecarriedoutby
theGulfstreamGIVexecutiveaircraft,theLearjet45
andtheBeechcraft.Atotalof287missionswereflown
with�088hrsflyinghoursrecorded.
Table 6.3 Number of MATS carried out by the
Air Corps in 2005
Aircraft Missions Flight Hours
GulfstreamIV �02 508
Learjet45 �0� �64
Beechcraft 82 2�6
Total 287 1,088 hrs
Provision of an Air Ambulance ServiceTheAirCorpssuppliesairtransportservicestothe
DepartmentofHealthandChildreninanumberof
areas.Theseare:
n Inter-hospitaltransferofseriouslyillpatients.
n Neo-nataltransfersrequiringimmediatemedical
intervention.
58
59
n Airtransportoforganharvestteamswithin
theState.
n Airtransportationoftransplantspatientsto
theUK.
n Airmedicalevacuationsfromoffshoreislands
toon-shorehospitals.
Table 6.4 Number of Air Ambulance Missions
carried out by the Air Corps in 2005
Aircraft Missions Persons
Assisted
Flight
Hours
Alouette 5 8 �4
Dauphin �8 �9 5�
EC��5 � � �
CASA �9 �9 �9
Beechcraft � 5 5
Learjet45 9 �� �4
Total 55 63 126 hrs
Naval Service Search and Rescue (SAR) NavalShipswereinvolvedinatotalof�6Search
andRescueoperationsatseainsupporttotheIrish
Coastguard.
Naval Service Diving Section
TheNavalServiceDivingSection(NSDS)carriesout
tasksforanumberofStateAgencies.Aswellas
providingdivingcapabilityto50metres,theNSDS
haveunderwatersearchequipmentattheirdisposal,
includingaRemoteOperatedVehicle(ROV),SideScan
SonarandMagnetometer.TheseallowtheSectionto
searchandsurveytoamuchgreaterdepththandivers
canoperate.TheROVcanoperateindepthsofover
�,000metres.Indeepwaterwheredivingisseverely
restrictedorunattainable,thesearchequipmentallows
theNSDStosearchandrecover.TherolesoftheNSDS
aremanyandvariedandtendtochangeonafrequent
basis.Themainrolesare:
SearchandRecovery
UnderwaterSurvey
ExplosiveOrdnanceDisposal
UnderwaterEngineering
Tables6.5and6.6belowbelowoutlinetheoperations
conductedbytheNSDSduring2005.Eachtableis
comparedwiththetotalnumberofdaysspentonthe
sameoperationsin2004.
Table 6.5 ACA – Missing Persons
(2004 – 42 days)
Location Task No of
Days
Middleton,
CoCork
Searchformissingperson 4
Clifden,
CoGalway
Searchformissingperson 6
CorkCity Searchformissingcar&person �
Wexford Searchformissingfisherman 7
Doolin,
CoClare
Searchformissingpersons(�) 2
CorkCity Searchformissingperson 8
Limerick Searchformissingperson 2
Kilmore
Quay,
Wexford
Searchformissingfishingvessel
andmissingpersons(2)
�4
Total 44 days
Table 6.6 ACA – Customs Searches
(2004 – Nil)
Location Nature of the Search No of
Days
Foynes29/�0
Aug05
SearchofsuspectMerchant
Vessel
2
Foynes5/6
Sept05
SearchofsuspectMerchant
Vessel
2
Foynes�/4
Oct05
SearchofsuspectMerchant
Vessel
2
Total 6 days
Defence Forces ANNUAL REPORT 2005
59
60
Naval Service International Ship and Port Security (ISPS) Project
During2005,theNSISPSProjectTeamwasinvolvedin
thereviewofseveralmainportfacilitiesattherequest
oftheMaritimeSafetyDirectorateoftheDCMNR.
Thesereviewswereoffacilitiesthathadreceived
temporaryapprovalin2004andwereawaitingthe
completionofinfrastructuraldevelopmentstogainthe
normalfive-yearapproval.
Naval Service Foreign/Home Waters Visits – 2005TheNavalServiceconductsvisitsabroadtoparticipate
innavalreviews,courtesyvisitsandothermaritime
events.Animportantfunctionofthesevisitsisthe
promotionofIrishcultureandbusinessinterestson
theinternationalstage.Thisisachievedinconjunction
withtheDeptofForeignAffairs,EnterpriseIreland,
BordBiaandotheragenciesinvolvedinthepromotion
ofIrelandabroad.
60
Unit Dates Destination Remarks
P�� 06May–09May NI(Derry) FoyleDays–4Days
27Jun-05July UK(Portsmouth) Int.FleetReview-9Days
09Sep–��Sep NI(Derry) NICancerFund–�Days
�7Dec–�9Dec NI(Derry) MaritimeHeritageW/End
–�Days
P52 �7Jun–27Jun GY(Kiel) KielWeek–��Days
�2Nov–�7Nov UK(London) InternationalTourism
Mart–6Days
P5� 07Mar–��Mar USA(NewYork) Courtesy–25Days
P2� �6May–2�May FR(St.Nazaire) Courtesy–8Days
07Jul–��Jul BE(Ostend) FleetReview–5Days
P22 �4Jul–�8Jul FR(Cherbourg) TallShips–5Days
P2� 26Aug–0�Sep PO(Lisbon) Courtesy–7Days
P42 �8Jun–22Jun UK(Liverpool) MerseyFestival–5Days
P4� ��Sep–20Sep SP(Bilbao) Courtesy–8Days
Table6.7belowindicatesthenumberofforeignvisitsundertakenbytheNavalServiceduring2005.
L.E.Eithne
onrouteto
Portsmouth.
Table 6.7
6�
Provision of Military Ceremonial ServicesTheDefenceForcescontinuetoparticipateinabroad
rangeofceremonialevents.Militaryinvolvement
encompassesliaisonwithGovernmentdepartments,
planningceremonialactivities,eventco-ordination
andmilitaryparticipationintheevent.Participation
maycompriseoneormoreofthefollowingelements:
guardsofhonour;escortsofhonour;artillerygun
salutes;militarybands;colourparties(i.e.flag
bearers);militarypolice;representativebodiesand
marshals.Inaddition,bearerparties,pallbearers,firing
partiesandroute-liningtroopsmayberequiredfor
Statefunerals.Thenumberofpersonnelinvolvedina
particularelementmayvaryfromthreeinthecaseof
colourpartiesto�07foraCaptain’sGuardofHonour.
State Ceremonial EventsAStateceremonyusuallycomprisesanumberofthe
militaryelementsmentionedabove.Forexample,
ontheoccasionofthepresentationofcredentials
byanambassadortoAntUachtaránanescortof
honour,guardofhonour,militaryband,temporary
aides-de-camp,marshalsandmilitarypolice,some
��0personnelintotalwillpartakeintheceremony.
Whiletheactualceremonyisoftenbrief,considerable
additionaltimeandeffortisrequiredtotrainand
preparetothehighstandardsexpectedofpersonnel
representingtheDefenceForcesandtheState.
Ceremonialelementsarealsoprovidedfornon-State
eventssuchasministerialreviewsofunitsdeploying
overseas,orwreath-layingceremoniesbyvisiting
dignitaries.Inaddition,therearenumerousrequests
fromorganisationsformilitaryinvolvementinvarious
civilianevents.TheserangefromtheRDSHorseShow
tolocalfestivalscountrywide.Normally,theserequests
areaccededtoandmayinvolveemployingtheArmy
bandsorassigningavarietyofceremonialtaskstoPDF
orRDFtroops.
During2005theDefenceForcesparticipatedinabroad
rangeofCeremonialeventsbothathomeandabroad.
Inthiscontextthemajorceremonialoutputswerethe
continuingprogrammeofbringingMinisterialReviews
ofdepartingoverseasunitsaroundthecountry.There
wasalsothesignificantceremonialassociatedwith
thestand-downofAnFCÁ/SMandthelaunchofthe
newRDF.Theothernotableceremonyin2005was
themajorparadeheldinDublintomarkthe50th
AnniversaryofIreland’smembershipoftheUnited
Nations.Table6.8outlinestheactivitiesfor2005.
Table 6.8 Defence Forces participation in
Ceremonial Events in 2005
Ceremonial Event Number
of Events
Number of
Personnel
StateVisitbyAntUachtarán � �95
StateVisitstoIreland 2 �90
OfficialVisitsoutsidetheStatebyAn
tUachtarán
� 252
PresentationofCredentials �� �,729
�9�6Commemoration � 2�8
NationalDayofCommemoration � �95
UNMILReviewsinAthloneandDublin 2 �,0�2
KFORReviewsinDublinandLimerick 2 522
ChiefsofStaff(Foreign)visits 2 2�8
RDSHorseShow � �02
StandDownParadeforAnFórsa
CosantaÁitiúil
� 560
50thAnniversaryofIrelands
MembershipoftheUnitedNations
� 455
TOTAL 30 6,108
Defence Forces ANNUAL REPORT 2005
6�
62
Military BandsThebandsoftheDefenceForcescontributetomany
militaryandStateceremonialoccasionsthroughout
theyear.TheDefenceForcesSchoolofMusic(DFSM)
consistsofthreebands,locatedinDublin,Corkand
Athlone.TheDFSMalsotrainsmusiciansforthePipe
Bands.PersonneloftheNo�ArmyBandandthe
bandsoftheSouthernandWesternBrigadesare
appointedasfull-timeprofessionalbandsmen,while
thoseofthepipebandsaresoldiersofoperational
unitswhoperformtheirmusicaldutiesinadditionto
theirnormalmilitaryoccupations.
62
Table 6.9 Band Engagements 2005
Category Army No.1
Band
1 S Bde
Band
4 W Bde
Band
Total
Military �0� 9� 87 279
StateCeremonial 22 2 0 24
FreePublicRecitals �� 2� 20 56
FreetoFestival 2 9 �7 28
CivilianPaid �0 � � �2
SchoolConcerts �� �6 �� 62
Trumpet+Drummer 44 �9 �9 �02
InstrumentalistPaid 5 � 0 6
Total 2�0 �82 �77 569
Official Languages Act 2003Inthelatterpartof2004a‘ComhairleGaeilge’
wasestablishedtoassistwithcoordinatingIrish
languagedevelopmentwithintheDefenceForces.An
ChomhairleGaeilgeproducedanOfficialLanguages
PolicythatcameintoeffectinNovember2004.
TheaimofthispolicyistoensurethatÓglaighna
hÉireannfulfilsitsobligationsunderthetermsof
theOfficialLanguagesAct200�andthatitabidesby
theprinciplesoftheQualityCustomerServiceasset
outbyGovernmentundertheStrategicManagement
Initiative(SMI).Significantprogresswasachieved
inimplementingthispolicyin2005,includingthe
establishmentofIrishlanguagecommitteesinthe
Brigades/Services/DFTC.AnIrishLanguageTraining
CampwasalsoheldinDúnUíMhaoilíosainMay
2005andinthelatterpartoftheyeartheComhairle
Ghaeilgebegandraftingthelanguage‘Scheme’
requiredundertheOfficialLanguagesAct.
Ongoing Emergency Planning TheDefenceForcesarerepresentedonthe
GovernmentTaskForceonEmergencyPlanningand
InterdepartmentalworkinggrouponEmergency
planning.Thesearethetop-levelstructures,which
coordinateandoverseetheemergencyplanning
6�
activitiesofallGovernmentDepartmentsandpublic
authorities.TwoDefenceForcesofficersaremembers
ofthestaffoftheOfficeofEmergencyPlanning,
DepartmentofDefence,oneofwhichprovides
technicalexpertisethatsupportstheMinisterfor
DefenceaschairmanoftheGovernmentTaskforceon
emergencyplanning.
Development of Memoranda of Understanding and Service Level AgreementsOneofthemainobjectivesassociatedwiththisgoal
isto secure working protocols by means of Memoranda
of Understanding (MoU) and Service Level Agreements
(SLA) with all client Departments, agencies and service
recipients for the provision of services.Whilethe
DepartmentofDefencenegotiatespecificMoUsand
SLAsataninterdepartmentallevel;theNavalService
andAirCorps,asthemainserviceproviders,have
significantinputintothedeterminationofservices
tobeprovided.In2005,thisobjectivehasbeen
progressedmainlybytheNavalServiceandAirCorps
elementsoftheDefenceForces.
Naval Service MOUsTheNScontinuedtodevelopMOUsandSLAswiththe
IrishCoastguardandtheMarineSafetyDirectorate.
ApartfromtheMOUagreedwithDCMNRthefollowing
arethosealreadyinplace:
n UCC,inrelationtotheCoastalMarineResource
Centre.
n MetÉireannfortheprovisionofobservational
data.
n TheDepartmentofEducationandSciencewith
regardtotheNavalService’spartnershipwith
CorkInstituteofTechnologyandNationalMarine
CollegeofIreland.
n TheSouthernHealthBoardwithregardtothe
provisionoftheMedicoservice,whichisdesigned
toprovideemergencymedicalassistanceatsea.
Air Corps
Air Ambulance Service
In2004,theAirCorpsagreedadraftSLAfordiscussion
betweentheDepartmentofDefenceandDepartment
ofHealthandChildrenfortheprovisionofair
ambulanceservices.ThisSLAwasfinalisedandsigned
inDecember05.
SLA Fisheries Protection/Maritime Patrolling
During2005theAirCorpsupdatedandamended
itsServiceLevelAgreement(SLA)withDCMNR.The
updatedagreementwassignedonthe��Sept05.
Defence Forces ANNUAL REPORT 2005
6�
The2005BookofEstimatesprovisionforDefenceSubheadswas_7�7.982million.99.�9%ofthisprovision
wasexpended.
Table 7.1 Defence Expenditure 2005 and 2004
Subhead 2005
Provision
_’000
2005
Outturn
_’000
2004
Provision
_’000
2004
Outturn
_’000
A DODAdministration 22,858 2�,��� 2�,662 20,787
Defence Forces & Pay Allowances
B PermanentDefenceForce’sPay 422,�79 4�2,�80 400,000 �94,�08
C PermanentDefenceForce’sAllowances 5�,222 5�,6�6 55,0�5 49,649
D ReserveDefenceForce’sPay �2,55� �0,542 �2,�29 ��,2�4
E Chaplain’sPay&Allowances �,�50 �,�58 �,�80 �,07�
F CivilianEmployeesPay �9,270 �6,949 �8,�55 �7,64�
Defence Forces Non-Pay Expenditure
G DefensiveEquipment �5,�55 46,498 �4,540 �7,��2
H Aircraft 4�,200 44,2�7 44,800 55,�92
I MilitaryTransport �0,020 ��,244 8,292 ��,957
J Ships&NavalEquipment ��,444 �2,86� 9,284 �0,8�5
K BarrackExpenses&EngineeringEquipment �4,7�� �5,9�6 ��,�77 �4,087
L Buildings ��,447 �2,98� �0,��� 29,79�
M Ordnance,Clothing&Catering �4,969 �4,8�0 �2,458 ��,570
N Communications&InfoTechnology ��,0�6 �4,248 7,540 �0,48�
O MilitaryTraining(Courses&Equipment) �,558 2,27� �,569 �,568
P Travel&Freight 4,495 4,582 �,85� 4,904
Q MedicalExpenses �,080 �,09� �,005 �,028
R LandMaintenance&Rents �,02� �,0�� 997 980
S Equitation 952 �,006 929 �,008
T Compensation �4,000 5,902 24,000 �0,672
U MiscellaneousExpenses 2,682 2,�65 2,480 �,294
V EUSecurity&DefencePolicyCosts �,200 289 - -
Other Services
W CivilDefence 5,767 5,767 5,59� 5,59�
X IrishRedCross(Grant-in-Aid) 888 888 866 866
Y CoisteanAsgard �,�2� �,�2� 69� 69�
Z AppropriationinAid (26,200) (26,7�9) (�7,292) (�7,5�5)
Total Defence Expenditure 737,982 731,971 697,656 695,028
Defence Forces ANNUAL REPORT 2005
65
66
Table 7.2 Ratio of Pay to Non-Pay Expenditure
Pay to Non-Pay Ratios
Year Pay Non-Pay
�997 78% 2�%
�998 76% 24%
�999 74% 26%
2000 7�% 27%
200� 66% �4%
2002 68% �2%
200� 69% ��%
2004 7�% 29%
2005 71% 29%
Source:DeputyChiefofStaff(Support)FinancialReports,�997to2005.
Table 7.3 Government Financial Allocation to Defence 1995-2005
Government Financial Allocation
Year Defence Vote
Outturn _’000
% GNP Total Govt Budget
Outturn _’000
Defence Vote as %
Of Govt Budget
�995 47�,482 �.� ��,0�5,960 �.62
�996 489,�57 �.� ��,694,540 �.57
�997 54�,2�8 �.� �6,���,872 �.�2
�998 54�,�56 �.0 �6,��9,4�� �.�2
�999 577,42� 0.9 �8,��8,006 �.�5
2000 626,097 0.8 20,65�,924 �.0�
200� 7�2,054 0.8 25,�40,2�2 2.80
2002 7�2,9�8 0.8 28,849,696 2.47
200� 70�,075 0.7 �0,7�6,65� 2.28
2004 695,028 0.7 �2,502,685 2.��
2005 731,971 0.7 35,559,035 2.05
Source:TheDeptofFinanceRevisedEstimatesforPublicServices�995to2005andtheAnnualReportoftheController&AuditorGeneral200�
to2004.
66
67
Table 7.4 Non-Pay Expenditure by Function
Comparison of Spending by Function
Year Spend
_’000
Equipment
_’000
Maintenance
_’000
Operating
Costs _’000
Buildings
_’000
Training
_’000
2000 �68,800
�00%
74,900
44.50%
27,900
�6.50%
40,000
24.00%
22,800
��%
�,200
2.00%
200� 2�7,000
�00%
86,000
�9.50%
��,000
�4.50%
�9,000
�8.00%
55,000
25.50%
6,000
2.50%
2002 209,547
�00%
85,�9�
4�.��%
�4,�08
�6.�7%
4�,250
�9.69%
4�,076
�9.60%
6,722
�.2�%
200� 205,0�6
�00%
97,720
48.00%
�2,�55
�5.50%
45,7�8
22.00%
24,248
�2.00%
5,�75
2.50%
2004 200,229
�00%
95,9�2
47.9�%
�4,0�7
�7.00%
46,6�9
2�.28%
�8,4�9
9.2�%
5,200
2.60%
2005 228,928
100%
122,748
53.63%
37,369
16.32%
46,523
20.32%
19,284
8.42%
3,003
1.31%
Delegation of Financial AuthorityFinancialauthorityinrespectofapprox.5�%oftheDefenceForcesnon-payexpenditureisdelegatedtotheChief
ofStaff.
Defence Forces ANNUAL REPORT 2005
67
Training (1.31%)
Equipment (53.63%)
Maintenance (16.32%)
Buildings (8.42%)
Operating Costs (20.32%)
Figure 7.1
68
Table 7.5 Multi-Annual Expenditure
Major Ongoing Capital Investment Projects (excluding buildings)
Project Description Year
Commenced
Pre 2005
_’000
Expenditure
2005
_’000
Balance
_’000
Total
_’000
Planned
Completion
Date
Light/UtilityHelicopter 2004 �4,�70 13,617 ��,2�� 6�,000 2008
PC-9(PilatusTrainerAircraft)
InclWeaponsPackage 2002 55,089 9,400 - 64,489 2005
CASA-Mid-lifeUpgrade 2005 - 4,500 7,500 �2,000 2007
APC(Phase�) 2005 - 15,100 2�,400 �6,500 2008
MRATGW-Javelin 200� 9,500 2,400 400 �2,�00 2005
IntegratedProtection&Load
CarryingSystem 2005 - 2,800 9,400 �2,200 2006
FieldDeployableHQs 2005 - 900 �,500 2,400 2006
GPMGWeapons 2005 - 1,400 2,900 4,�00 2006
Command&StaffTrainer 200� 4,0�� 238 - 4,249 2005
DigitalIndoorRangeTheatre
(DIRT)
�999 2,2�7 - �50 2,567 2006
*MIFProject 200� 4,629 4,300 - 8,929 2006
PRR(PersonalRoleRadio) 2002 507 803 - �,��0 On-going
*Includescostassociatedwithinfrastructureupgrade,whichwasnecessarypriortorolloutoftheMIF.
68
Significantprogresswasmadein2005inrelation
toMilitaryProgrammeswithexpenditureinthis
areaup€29.49million(�.4�%)over2004.Thiswas
particularlysignificantintheareaofequipmentwhere
anadditional€28millionwasspentin2005over
andabovethatof2004.Muchofthisisaccounted
forbythecommencementofPhase�oftheMowag
procurementplan,withtheplacementofacontractfor
fifteen-specialistroleMowagreconnaissancevehicles,
whichwillbedeliveredoverthenexttwo(2)years.
Financial ReformFinancialReformcontinuedthroughout2005with
preparationfortherolloutoftheManagement
InformationFramework(MIF)inJanuary2006.This
involvedamajorreforminthelayoutandpresentation
oftheDefenceForcesEstimates.Allexpenditurein
futurewillfallintooneofthreecategories,‘Capital
Item’,‘Inventory Item’or‘Expense Item’.Allfinancial
transactionswilltakeplaceontheManagement
InformationFramework.Thiswillpresentmanagement
withtimelyandaccurateinformationontheday-to-
dayworkingsoftheorganisationandgreatlyassistin
theplanninganddecision-makingprocessatalllevels.
ThelayoutoftheDefenceForcesFinancialReport
continuestobebroughtinlinewiththestandard
formatusedinbestbusinesspractice.Thishasallowed
foraclear,accurateandtransparentpresentationof
thefinancialperformanceoftheorganisation.This
processofimprovementwillcontinueintothefuture
soastomakethebestuseoffinancialinformation
providedbytheMIF.