Non-nationals may be considered for Forces

Non-nationals may be invited to join the Defence Forces if current recruitment campaigns fail to attract Irish citizens in sufficient numbers, the Dail heard yesterday.

The "Celtic Tiger" was described by Mr Michael Finucane (Limerick West, Fine Gael) as "the enemy of the Army" - with the best technical and engineering people leaving the Defence Forces, because of the opportunities on offer elsewhere.

He asked the Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, if he would give "serious consideration" to recruiting non-nationals, and if Irish citizenship would be favourably considered for such applicants in the event. Some 650 members of the Defence Forces had resigned in the first nine months of this year, said Mr Finucane, the Fine Gael spokesman on defence. The target for recruitment for 2000 was 750, but only 390 places had been taken up so far.

The Minister conceded that buoyancy in the economy and the opportunity for alternative employment was hitting recruitment. The question of non-national recruitment, he recalled, had been raised at the recent conference of PDFORRA.

Its general secretary, Mr John Lucey, had called on the Minister for Defence and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to initiate immediate discussions "with all interested parties with a view to inviting and attracting non-nationals to join the Defence Forces in return for an accelerated entitlement to citizenship".

Irish society had become far more open and inclusive, the Minister noted. There were many existing rules and processes that would have to be challenged.

"In that context, it is opportune that we review the criteria for enlistment in the Defence Forces" he said. He would approach the review "with a completely open mind".