THE Government is "foolhardy" for reducing the size of the Defence. Forces while the threat of conflict in the North remains and as it considers joining a European military alliance, a soldiers' conference has heard.
The reduction, by voluntary redundancy, of the Defence Forces by 1,500 members and speculation about civilianisation of parts of the Naval Service and Air Corps are demoralising soldiers, the conference in Waterford was told.
The general secretary of the Permanent Defence Forces Other Ranks Representative Association (PDFORRA), Mr John Lucey, said there was a "climate of fear and apprehension in the Defence Forces" as a result.
He said the Government had given a commitment to the United Nations to have a stand by force of 850 ready for service in any peacekeeping mission where they were required.
This is additional to the Defence Forces' current commitment of about 800 soldiers.
Mr Lucey said: "It is expected that the UN will continue to contract out peacekeeping operations to such bodies as NATO, the WEU (Western European Union), OSCE (Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe) and the European Union.
"While the political parties may have the luxury of debating such matters as neutrality arising- from European integration, PDFORRA members face the cold reality that economic union- will lead, in time, to a defence commitment by Ireland in order to defend that economy.
"Confusion reigns over our foreign policy. Is it one of limited neutrality or complete neutrality? No one seems to know.
"Consequently, the Defence forces and our members must be ready for any eventuality. -
"On loot of these commitments and in light of difficulties recently experienced by the military authorities in getting people to volunteer for UN duty, I must ask the Government to reconsider its decision to reduce the size of the Defence Forces.
"It is foolhardy to think that, as we increase our UN and EU commitment, and with a volatile Border situation, that there are moves to reduce the number of security personnel serving the State in our Defence Forces."
Mr Lucey also said there were strong suspicions among Defence Force members that the Government intended removing some Naval Service and Air Corps duties and tendering these out to the private sector.
This has, so far, been denied by the Government, hut soldiers were not convinced.