Generals accused of blocking promotions

Defence Forces personnel are being denied promotions because of the failure of generals to abide by agreed human resources policies, the Pdforra annual conference in Waterford has heard.

Generals commanding local brigades were devising their own promotion criteria and "practising federalism" by ignoring the agreed procedures and criteria laid down by the Defence Forces headquarters, Pdforra general secretary Gerry Rooney said.

"Individuals will not know to which Defence Forces priorities they should align their career goals - it could be the one outlined by Defence Forces headquarters or alternatively it could be one of a number which GOCs [General Officers Commanding] promote."

Headquarters had set down promotion criteria in the belief that it would lead to a greater commitment to achieving career goals, but because of generals' refusal to honour the criteria, it had led only to confusion among the ranks.

"This will lead to demotivation, anger and frustration among staff and will ultimately impair the effectiveness of the Defence Forces." Pdforra would defend individuals who felt they had been unfairly denied promotion "through grievance procedures and the courts" Mr Rooney said.

Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea told the conference that he was anxious to see more progress in the opportunity for promotion to officer ranks.

"There should be no perception of a glass ceiling within the Defence Forces. I am firmly of the view that every recruit should have a reasonable expectation of being promoted to officer level by virtue of his or her leadership qualities, ability and character." Mr O'Dea said he was also keen to increase the number of women entering the Defence Forces.

In terms of pay, Mr Rooney said that enlisted personnel should be given an increase of almost 16 per cent under the new benchmarking agreement.Pdforra was seeking the 15.8 per cent increase to bring pay rates in line with other groups in both the public and private sector.