As well as new working time rules, delivery of promised financial support to instructors, and reform of post 2013 pensions will be vital to improve Óglaigh na hÉireann recruitment and retention. We look forward to working with Department of Defence & Minister Simon Harris TD for these aims.

Positive and constructive first meeting with Tánaiste and new Minister for Defence Simon Harris TD today. We discussed retention initiatives like Working Time Directive implementation & Post ‘13 pension reform, & recruitment supports like allowances for hard-working instructors.

The Defence Forces can confirm that all Irish personnel deployed to Lebanon are well and accounted for. All necessary force protection measures continue be to observed. We echo UNIFIL's condemnation of these attacks and remind all parties of their responsibility to ensure the

The big one! It’s time for #MatchDaySorted 🥳🎉 Follow & RT for a chance to win: 2x Tickets to Ireland v France match on March 8th in AVIVA 4x Pints of Heineken Ireland 2x Match Day Burger Winner announced lunchtime on Thursday, March 6th.

It’s hugely important that we invest in our #Defence and #Security, and move to Level of Ambition 3 without delay.

The Óglaigh na hÉireann has found it increasingly difficult to generate and staff peacekeeping missions, due to an inability to retain suitably qualified & experienced personnel because of inferior working conditions. Our people must be supported, so 🇮🇪 can continue to contribute.

Ar scáth a chéile a mhaireann na daoine. This isn't just a job - belong to something bigger, a life less ordinary. BE MORE! Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona daoibh ☘️ military.ie/en/careers/ #BeMore #JoinUs #MakeADifference #StPatricksDay #LáFhéilePádraig #IrishHeritage #Sláinte

Defence Forces say retaining members remains 'difficult' | Morning Ireland 📻 Good piece by ⁦Jackie Fox⁩⁩, featuring contributions from @raco_df Dep Gen Sec ⁦Derek Priestley⁩, & Head of ⁦Óglaigh na hÉireann⁩ recruitment Lt Col Maeve O’Grady. rte.ie/radio/radio1/c…

Great to meet and sign up our newest members from the 100th Cadet Class and 12th Potential Officers Course in the Military College yesterday. They are all looking forward to their Commissioning next Friday, and to an exciting and rewarding career as Óglaigh na hÉireann officers!

See below for a fantastic opportunity to serve the State, learn new skills and ‘Be More’ with the Irish Óglaigh na hÉireann! Check out military.ie for details

The Journal spoke with Private Keelan Barrett, a Donegal man on his first trip to Lebanon, at Camp Shamrock to hear about his experience. Barrett described his trip as going “above what I expected.” “I am two months away from getting home, it has been surreal out here” he said.

RACO Statement on the long awaited and very welcome announcement of the payment of an allowance to our officers conducting specialised instruction. See also: thejournal.ie/new-payment-fo… irishtimes.com/ireland/2025/0… Óglaigh na hÉireann Department of Defence Simon Harris TD

On behalf of all RACO members, congratulations Araon Kearney on your election as pdforra President. Wishing you all the best and looking forward to working closely with you advocating for the employment rights of all the dedicated members of Óglaigh na hÉireann

After six months on deployment in Lebanon, 170 Irish troops touched down at T1 Dublin Airport today. Families waited with open arms and full hearts, a reunion worth every second. ❤️ Welcome home ❤️

Since the Irish Defence Forces' deployment to Lebanon with UNOGIL in 1958, there have always been Irish boots on the ground, in the service of peace. Today, the 29th of May, we commemorate this on the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. Ireland proudly holds the

jrnl.ie/6718699 Disappointing that Micheál Martin resorts to blame game politics instead of taking some responsibility as previous minister. Accountability of employer Department of Defence responsible for policy is of course absent. Waiting for failure to act a policy?

📢 RACO welcomes the new Professional Instructor Payment for qualified Officer instructors, introduced by Tánaiste Simon Harris TD on 05 May 2025. It’s a further essential measure to incentivise & reward instruction, and boost recruitment & retention in the Óglaigh na hÉireann. 1/2

GRA, RACO and Women's Aid call for end to sale of location data rte.ie/news/primetime… via RTÉ We call on the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to immediately review this matter with his officials, both from a legislation enforcement and operational force protection viewpoint.

🙏Catherine Callaghan TD for highlighting this inequality. Cadet pay remains the lowest in Óglaigh na hÉireann. Within the 1st year, a cadet over 40% less than their enlisted counterpart, highlighting the significant early pay gap. Low cadet wages presents a serious recruitment barrier. 1/2

The financial strain of living on cadet pay makes the DF less attractive, limiting the pool of candidates. This is not just about fairness; it’s essential to attract & retain talented personnel. We call on Department of Defence & Simon Harris TD to act now to address this issue. 2/2