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| RACO BDC 2017 |

Time for Actions: RACO Conference

Highlights Crisis In Terms Of Service &

Retention

On October 31st and November 1st 2017, the Representative Association of Commissioned
Officers held their Biannual Delegate Conference (BDC) at Killashee House Hotel in Naas,
County Kildare. The conference differed from previous years, due to the challenges facing
serving officers and the organisation in terms of retention and conditions of service. Day one
saw an open forum with presentations and Q&A featuring academics, industry, politicians
and serving personnel. This was followed by a delegate workshop, the results of which will
form the basis of RACO’s policy in relation to addressing the issues raised. The second day
featured conference and association business and addresses to conference from the RACO
General Secretary and President and also addresses by the Defence Forces Chief of Staff
and Minister with Special Responsibility for Defence.
What follows is background information on the current issues facing the organisation as dis-
cussed at conference, with material quoted from presentations and speeches delivered over
both days.

he facts are stark; in 2016 71 officers left the Defence
TForces. To date in 2017, 72 have retired or resigned
their commissions. Units throughout the DF are being
forced to operate with an average of 40-50% of their rec-
ommended Officer capacity. This impacts operational out-
puts throughout the organisation.

Since RACO highlighted the manning level crisis at their
BDC in 2015, the Defence Forces has seen two compre-
hensive reviews by the University of Limerick on service
conditions in the Defence Forces and a Report by the Pub-
lic Service Pay Commission to facilitate National Level Pay
Talks. “Retention” was clearly identified as a major organi-
sation issue with evidence that the loss of expertise is neg-
atively impacting on the safety, operational performance
and wellbeing of Defence Force personnel.
Considering that the Defence Forces has continually re- sibility for Defence, Mr Paul Kehoe TD, RACO Gen Sec Lt
organised and reduced numbers from 11,500 in 1995 Col Earnán Naughton pointed to the realities that Officers
to 9,500 in 2012, the real alarm should be the fact that face and at the previous days focus group session, RACO
the Defence Forces are unable to maintain the reduced Vice President Captain Conor King revealed the levels of
establishment. The Defence Forces has witnessed eight disappointment, anger and at times despair that members
reorganisations in 23 years. The 2012 reorganisation was of RACO are currently feeling, as exposed by the 2017
solely based on budget target as opposed to operation- Focus Group Report.
al requirements, resulting in a Force that is struggling to “The Focus Group Report on the findings of the 2015 De-
maintain effective operational outputs. The Focus Group fence Forces Climate Survey was conducted by the Uni-
2017 and the presentations that have been made to con- versity of Limerick (UL). This report was classed by the UL
ference lay bare the realities. as the most in-depth and comprehensive research they
have undertaken. These researchers have spent three
Realities of the situation years compiling the reports. The key themes in the Focus
Group Report are consistent providing a greater depth of
Addressing the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Vice qualitative analysis on issues identified by members of the
Admiral Mark Mellett DSM and the Minister with Respon- Defence Forces with respect to their service.

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