Defence Forces' contribution during pandemic should be recognised - PDFORRA
The Defence Forces' representative body, PDFORRA, has today called on Government to "appropriately recognise" the significant contribution made by all members of the Defence Forces during the pandemic.
The organisation, which represents over 6,500 soldiers, sailors and aircrew of the Defence Forces is currently holding its annual conference in Killarney.
Its president, Mark Keane, called upon the Minister for Defence and Government to recognise the significant effort made by Defence Forces and other public servants to the national effort to combat Covid-19.
"Despite our reduced strength, our limited resources and the crisis in morale that existed across the organisation, our members, together with a wide range of other public servants stepped up when called upon by the State and its citizens," said Mr Keane.
"Our members adapted to every challenge and performed to the highest level across a variety of work that is not normally associated with membership of the Defence Forces.
"Our Members undertook swabbing, tracing, logistics, including providing tents at short notice, filled in for vacant workers in nursing homes, provided traffic management at centres, administrative support for quarantine in hotels, etc, etc.
"All of this was undertaken while maintaining our core roles in the provision of State Security, Aid to the Civil Authorities and overseas commitments.
"During the last 18 months-plus, Defence Forces personnel have worked selflessly. During the early part of the pandemic, troops were required to remain in situ for extended periods.
"Our association is merely seeking that our members are appropriately recognised for undertaking all of the foregoing work, and for the commitments made to the State above their family friends during the pandemic.
"We recognise the selfless contribution made by frontline healthcare workers and believe that these personnel deserve to be appropriately recognised.
"In doing so, it must be remembered that Defence Force medics augmented these frontline staff in testing centres and in ambulances bringing people to hospital.
"Most, if not all citizens recognise the sizeable contribution made by public servants and others during the Covid crisis, it would be a welcome display of recognition if some provision was made in recognition of the contribution made," he concluded.