“NATO wouldn’t want us – we’re a laughing stock” says Galway senator

Senator Gerard Craughwell has hit out at the government after new statistics revealed that the number of military personnel in the Defence Forces is at its lowest since 1980.

The stats, released to Labour Wexford TD Brendan Howlin, show that over 5,000 personnel have left the Defence Forces within the last seven years.

At the end of May, the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service had just 7,764 staff.

But Senator Craughwell said the situation is actually much worse as the numbers are artificially inflated by the inclusion of recruits, privates, cadets, second lieutenants and apprentices.

He said that “nothing seems to be stopping the collapse of our Defence Forces”.

“Reports are drafted detailing problems and then they’re ignored,” he said.

“A commission was established to examine the future of the Defence Forces and neutered at its establishment as it really could not deal with pay and conditions.”

“Its report was with us for over a year. Nothing has happened. It is not only our security being put at risk; it’s our place in the world.”

The Independent senator added: “Some people are fearful that the government would force Ireland to join NATO, but they wouldn’t want us. We have nothing to give.

“We big ourselves up seeking high profile seats on the UN Security Council etc. In reality, we are now a laughingstock.”