Sir, – It is disappointing, as reported by Conor Gallagher ("General staff criticises 'vague' report on Defence Forces", December 8th) that the draft report of the Commission on the Defence Forces falls far short of realistically addressing the problems facing the Defence Forces.
It is a happy coincidence that the letter from Denis J Halliday, former UN Assistant Secretary General, quoting Major General Maureen O’Brien on the shortcomings in Defence Forces' capabilities should appear in the same edition of the paper. It leaves some room for hope that the commission states that their work is ongoing with a view to fulfilling their terms of reference and that some members of the commission favour delaying the publication of the report to meet the criticisms.
I’d suggest taking extra time to get it right would be a good option for the commission because an inadequate report will inflict inestimable further damage on an already badly wounded organisation. – Yours, etc,
JOE AHERN,
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(Lt Col retd)
Rathfarnham,
Dublin 16.