PDFORRA Annual Delegate Conference Speech - Minister Helen McEntee TD

PDFORRA Annual Delegate Conference
Castlecourt Hotel, Westport, Co. Mayo
Wednesday, 13 May 2026

A Uachtaráin agus a Ard-Rúnaí PDFORRA, a Ard-Rúnaí na Roinne Cosanta, a Cheann Foirne, a Cheannairí Míleata, a Ionadaithe na Roinne Cosanta agus Óglaigh na hÉireann, a aíonna oirirce, a thoscairí na Comhdhála.

President and General Secretary of PDFORRA, Aaron Kearney, Deputy Chief of Staff Colm Ó Luasa, senior military leaders, Óglaigh na hÉireann, distinguished guests and conference delegates.

Is mór an onóir agus an phribhléid dom a bheith libh anseo inniu i gCathair na Mart.

Opening

It is a great pleasure, and indeed a privilege, to be with you here in Westport this morning and to address you as Minister for Defence.

Since taking up this role, I have already had substantial engagement with PDFORRA, and I want to continue building a strong and constructive partnership in the time ahead.

We share an ambition for the future of the Defence Forces — to build an organisation that is modern, capable, properly supported and one that people are proud to serve in.

I believe progress comes through engagement, partnership and shared purpose, and that is the spirit in which I want us to continue working together.

Today is also a valuable opportunity for me to engage directly with the wider membership of PDFORRA here in Westport.

International Security Environment

We meet at a time of profound international uncertainty and change.

Conflict continues in Europe and across the Middle East. The international security environment is more unstable today than at any point in recent decades.

Ireland is at an important turning point in how we think about security and defence.

While Ireland is a militarily neutral country, we are not removed from global threats or instability. These challenges affect our citizens, our economy, our critical infrastructure and, importantly, the members of Óglaigh na hÉireann who serve overseas and at home in difficult and often challenging circumstances.

People rightly expect us to ensure that Ireland is prepared to protect our people, our infrastructure and our national interests.

That is why I believe this must be a decade of ambition for Irish defence policy.

We need Defence Forces that are modern, agile, properly resourced and equipped for the challenges of the future.

Most importantly, we need to invest in the women and men of Óglaigh na hÉireann -- because capability ultimately begins and ends with the people who serve.

Overseas Service and International Missions

The situation in the Middle East remains deeply concerning, with devastating humanitarian consequences for civilians and continuing instability across the region.

I know many of you are thinking today of your colleagues in the 128th Infantry Battalion deploying to Lebanon, and of the return home of the 127th Battalion.

The safety and wellbeing of our personnel serving overseas remains an absolute priority for me and for Government.

Since the escalation of conflict in the region, operations have had to adapt significantly, with an increased focus on force protection and the security of our personnel.

Ireland’s proud tradition of peacekeeping remains central to who we are as a nation.

Over many decades, members of the Defence Forces have shown extraordinary professionalism, courage and compassion in some of the most challenging environments in the world.

Many have suffered life-changing injuries or made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of peace. Today, we remember those sacrifices with gratitude and respect.

I also want to acknowledge the families of Defence Forces personnel, who support loved ones serving at home and overseas while carrying many of the pressures and uncertainties that come with military life.

Many personnel have served on the UNIFIL mission over the years, often in very difficult circumstances, and I thank them all today for that service.

Today, more than 350 Defence Forces personnel continue to serve in Southern Lebanon with the same professionalism and dedication shown by generations before them.

Unfortunately, it has not yet been possible for me to visit the region because of security concerns, but I hope to do so when circumstances allow.

Our service overseas does not begin and end with Lebanon.

Irish personnel continue to serve with distinction across a range of international missions, contributing to peacekeeping, maritime security, humanitarian protection and stability operations alongside our international partners.

That work reflects something important about Ireland — while we are militarily neutral, we are not indifferent.

We believe in contributing constructively to international peace, security and the protection of international law.

Triple Lock and Ireland’s International Role

It is also why I believe we need to ensure that Ireland has the ability to make sovereign decisions about the deployment of our personnel in a changing and increasingly uncertain world.

The legislation we are bringing forward in relation to the Triple Lock is about protecting Ireland’s ability to continue participating in legitimate international peace support and security missions into the future.

It will provide clear legal safeguards, democratic oversight and accountability through Government and Oireachtas approval.

But critically, it will ensure that Ireland’s ability to deploy its personnel cannot be blocked by countries acting in bad faith or pursuing their own geopolitical interests.

We are already seeing the real implications of the current system.

The continuation of missions such as UNIFIL has become increasingly uncertain because of the risk of veto at UN Security Council level.

We are also closely examining future participation in missions such as Operation IRINI in the Mediterranean, which plays an important role in monitoring illegal activity at sea, including sanctions evasion and the shadow fleet helping to finance Russia’s war in Ukraine.

I believe Ireland must remain principled, militarily neutral and independently minded but also capable, agile and able to act responsibly alongside our international partners where our values and interests require it.

EU Presidency

Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union later this year will also be a hugely important moment for our country.

It will place Ireland at the centre of key European discussions on security, resilience and defence cooperation at a particularly significant moment for Europe.

I want Ireland to approach that Presidency with confidence and ambition.

The Government is committed to delivering a Presidency that is successful, safe and secure, and extensive planning is already underway across Government and State agencies.

An Garda Síochána is leading Operation Brehon, supported by detailed interagency coordination on security planning, cyber resilience, transport, venue protection and operational readiness.

Members of Óglaigh na hÉireann will also play an important role throughout the Presidency period.

Your professionalism and expertise will help showcase Ireland on the European stage, and I know the Defence Forces will make an enormous contribution to its success.

Transformation of the Defence Forces

The world around us has changed and our Defence Forces must continue to evolve with it.

The transformation programme now underway represents one of the most important periods of reform and investment in the history of the State.

Earlier this year, I published both an Updated Detailed Implementation Plan and a new Strategic Framework for the Transformation of the Defence Forces.

Alongside this work, we are also advancing Ireland’s first National Maritime Security Strategy.

As an island nation, protecting our maritime domain and critical infrastructure is an increasingly important part of national security.

The strategy takes a whole-of-government approach, bringing together Departments, agencies, the Defence Forces and international partners to strengthen awareness, coordination and resilience in response to evolving threats.

The Implementation Plan tracks progress on the recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces.

I am pleased to say that 54 recommendations have already been fully completed, with substantial progress made on many more.

By the end of this year, we expect 74 recommendations to be fully implemented.

These reforms include:

• workforce planning
• new command and joint structures
• reform across HR and service delivery
• revitalisation of the Reserve Defence Force
• and the development of modern joint capabilities

The priorities for the year ahead include:

• boosting recruitment and retention
• regenerating the Naval Service and Air Corps
• improving equipment and infrastructure
• progressing legislative reform
• accelerating digital transformation
• and strengthening cyber and security capabilities

At the heart of all of this are the people of the Defence Forces.

You are the organisation’s greatest strength, and my priority as Minister is to ensure that reform and investment deliver real improvements in your daily working lives.

[Personnel, Recruitment and Retention]

One of my key priorities is to deliver deep and lasting organisational reform.

That means transforming not only capability and infrastructure, but also leadership, workforce planning and career development.

We are progressing reforms across:

• primary legislation
• HR systems
• workforce planning
• capability development
• and civilianisation

Several important initiatives are now underway, including:

• enhanced career and talent management systems
• improved promotion pathways
• a comprehensive Workforce Plan
• and expanded specialist entry and re-entry routes

These reforms are about ensuring that service in the Defence Forces is modern, professional, sustainable and rewarding.

Alongside these reforms, it is important to recognise the substantial progress already made on pay and conditions through sustained engagement with representative associations, including PDFORRA.

Key improvements include:

• the removal of the “mark-time” requirement for new entrants
• full payment of Military Service Allowance to eligible ranks
• extension of private secondary medical care to enlisted personnel
• reform of Naval Service sea-going allowances
• and the removal of the blanket exemption from the Organisation of Working Time Act

These are practical changes that are improving the lived experience of military service and we will do more.

Local Bargaining

This progress is reinforced through the Public Service Pay Agreement 2024–2026, which continues to provide pay increases across all grades.

The Agreement also provides for a Local Bargaining process.

I know the 1% allocation was due for implementation in September 2025.

I want to assure you that once proposals are verified by the Department of Public Expenditure, payments will be backdated to 1 September 2025

European Committee on Social Rights-ECSR and WTD Issues

I also want to take the opportunity today to focus on the report published earlier this year by the European Committee of Social Rights regarding public holiday remuneration and overtime compensation for Defence Forces personnel.

A recommendation will be delivered from the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers next month. My officials will give careful consideration to the Report and expected recommendation.

I would also like to note the positive recognition in the Report of reforms already delivered – including the removal of the Defence Forces’ exemption from the Organisation of Working Time Act and progress in introducing systems to record working hours.

More broadly, I also recognise the importance of strong and effective industrial relations structures within the Defence Forces.

The Concilliation and Arbitration Scheme has played an important role over many years in supporting constructive engagement between management and representative associations on issues affecting personnel.

I recently wrote to Minister Chambers regarding the appointment process and the importance of reaching agreement in the interests of continued constructive engagement.

Recruitment and Retention

Recruitment and retention remain among the most pressing challenges facing the Defence Forces.

As of March this year, the Permanent Defence Force stands at just under 7,800 personnel against an expanded establishment of 9,739.

That gap is real, and addressing it remains a major priority for Government.

That is why Budget 2026 provides €1.5 billion for Defence (55% increase), including a capital programme of €300 million (40% increase).

Government has also supported the recruitment of a net additional 400 personnel annually and invested in the Joint Induction Training Centre in Gormanston, with capacity for up to 900 recruits per year.

We have:

• increased the maximum recruitment age to 39
• increased the retirement age to 62
• expanded direct entry opportunities
• and opened new pathways for specialist recruitment and re-entry

Recruitment levels are improving, but retention remains equally important.

We cannot build the Defence Forces we need for the future unless experienced personnel can see a long-term future for themselves and their families within the organisation.

That means creating a workplace that is professional, supportive, modern and rewarding.

It also means listening carefully to the lived experience of personnel and continuing to work in partnership to address longstanding challenges.

Standards and Oversight

Trust, professionalism and respect must underpin every part of military service.

The reforms introduced following the Independent Review Group are about ensuring that every member of the Defence Forces can serve in an environment that reflects those standards.

Progress includes:

• placing the External Oversight Body on a statutory footing
• introducing the Independent Grievance Manager
• and mandatory training on dignity, equality and respectful relationships

Capability and Investment

Alongside workforce reform, we are also undertaking the most ambitious programme of defence investment in the history of the State.

Ireland’s security environment has changed fundamentally, and our level of preparedness must change with it.

Government is now making substantial investments in capability across land, sea, air, cyber and infrastructure.

This includes investment in:

• radar and air surveillance capability
• Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems
• subsea monitoring and critical infrastructure protection
• fleet renewal and equipment modernisation
• digital transformation and secure communications

Europe is investing heavily in collective security, resilience and defence capability.

I am committed to engaging with those opportunities where they align with our national interests and our policy of military neutrality.

That includes examining future participation in initiatives such as SAFE, particularly where they can support investment in infrastructure, capability and the long-term development of our Defence Forces.

Ireland cannot afford to stand still while the wider European security landscape evolves around us.

But capability is not only about equipment or infrastructure.

Real capability depends on people.

I want us to continue building momentum in the years ahead — continuing to invest in capability, in infrastructure and, above all, in the women and men of Óglaigh na hÉireann.

Conclusion

Ireland is entering a new chapter in how we think about security, resilience and defence.

The decisions we make now will shape the Defence Forces for a generation.

I want us to be ambitious about that future.

Defence Forces that can protect our people and our infrastructure.

Defence Forces that can continue Ireland’s proud tradition of international peacekeeping and partnership.

And Defence Forces where the women and men who serve feel valued, supported and proud of the organisation they belong to.

This future will be built through partnership, trust and shared ambition.

I look forward to continuing that work with PDFORRA and with all members of Óglaigh na hÉireann in the years ahead.

And above all, I thank you and your families for your service to the State.

Go raibh míle maith agaibh go léir.