The general secretary of the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers in the Defence Forces, Conor King, has described a newly-announced independent review of the Defence Forces as "a once in a generation opportunity to re-imagine defence and security".
Yesterday, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Defence Simon Coveney announced that Government had approved the establishment of an independent Commission on the Defence Forces.
Mr King told RTÉ's Morning Ireland that any decisions made must be resourced properly and in particular the issue of pay and retention of staff must be looked at with some urgency.
He said that 85% of the Defence Forces' personnel is paid below the average public sector wage.
The fact there is a restricted industrial relations status for Defence Force members has resulted in ongoing low pay despite pay negotiations, he added.
Mr King said while RACO members totally accept the restrictions on civil liberties that military personnel must endure, "we don't expect they will be exploited".
He said RACO welcomes the establishment of a permanent pay review body that recognises the unique nature of military service.
