Andy Scollick
Absolutely shocking. Even though we already know it's bad, to see such figures is gut-wrenching. In a global era of rising Russian and Chinese aggression as well as climate catastrophe, we need a @DefenceForces some 75,000 strong. #Ireland🇮🇪 https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/more-5500-personnel-quit-defence-30505176
More than 5,500 personnel have quit the Defence Forces in last seven years

Statistics released to Labour Wexford TD Brendan Howlin show that as of the end of May, the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service had just 7,764 staff

Irish Mirror
Jul 20, 2023 at 8:54amWeb
Show threadMicheál Ó MáilleJul 20, 2023
@Andy_Scollick They are shocking figures. Add in the degradation of the Reserve Forces that have been allowed to wither to near non-relevance & it is finally clear for all to see how (in)capable the Dept of Defence are in advocating, managing & delivering for our Nation's Defence & Security over decades now. Let Dept of Justice & Gards take even more of External Security role at this stage!! LOA2 me arse. #AbjectFailure #NoDefence #Defenceless #DefenceForces #Ireland #CDSP #PfP
Show threadAndy ScollickJul 20, 2023
@mickmeally One day, we (Ireland) are going to find ourselves in a situation when we need the Defence Forces, e.g. a massive concurrent (heatwave, wildfire, flooding) disaster here or across Europe and/or a Russia-NATO war and/or UN/EU demands for tens of thousands of peacekeepers to protect climate refugees in MENA - and we will regret our neglect of the Defence Forces and Civil Defence. The lack of government and civil service strategic foresight is unacceptable. Yes, #AbjectFailure #Ireland.