Govt accused of trying to get 'defence on the cheap'

Government accused of trying to get 'defence on the cheap' for EU summits

Updated / Thursday, 12 Nov 2026 06:01

The Government is being called on to end the exclusion of senior Defence Force officers from allowances for overtime work, or to end the practice of rostering them for duties attracting such allowances.

The Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (RACO) has made the call as the Defence Forces are deployed on Operation Fianna, the security operation for the European Political Community and European Council meetings taking place in Dublin today and tomorrow.

It is the largest security operation in the history of the State.

RACO said that senior officers, from the rank of Commandant/Naval Lieutenant Commander and above, are commanding the Joint Task Force and its land, maritime and air components.

"They are directing counter-drone and air defence operations, leading maritime and air patrols, overseeing EOD and specialist operations, and coordinating with An Garda Síochána, Government departments and international partners," according to RACO.

"They do this alongside, and often in command of, junior officers and enlisted personnel who receive security duty allowances at the rate of €68 per day before tax for the same operation.

"The Department of Defence has directed that the senior officers will receive nothing, and expect them to work for free defending and protecting European leaders," the association added.

Lt Col Conor King, General Secretary of RACO said the risk and the hours do not shrink because of the rank on someone's shoulder.

"If anything, the senior officer carries the ultimate responsibility for the people and the outcome," Lt Col King said.

"It is simply unfair that an officer commanding personnel who receive these payments is excluded from it on rank alone," he added.

Lt Col Martin Ryan, RACO President said it is a case of trying to get defence on the cheap.

"Without these members, the operations could not happen," Lt Col Ryan said.

A spokesperson for the Department of Defence said Minister Helen McEntee would like to acknowledge the excellent work and commitment of public servants, including the Defence Forces, in delivering and supporting Ireland's Presidency of the European Union.

"In recognition of the important role being undertaken, the minister was pleased to successfully negotiate yesterday the payment of an allowance to Defence Force’s Officers at the rank of Commandant who are undertaking 24-hour duties as part of the State’s security provision," the spokesperson said.

"This brings all ranks, up to and including Commandants, in receipt of additional payments for duties undertaken.

"As with comparable ranks in An Garda Síochána and across the Civil Service, senior military leaders at the rank of Col and Lt Col do not attract such allowances or additional payments."