Intensive training and re-equipment to prepare the Defence Forces for involvement in a European rapid reaction force would be completed by the end of 2003, the head of the Defence Forces said yesterday.
Lieut Gen Colm Mangan was addressing the annual conference of the Representative Association for Commissioned Officers (RACO).
Also yesterday, the Government received the memorandum from the Departments of Defence and Foreign Affairs about the implications of the Republic's participation in the 60,000strong EU force.
As part of its preparations to provide a mechanised infantry battalion for the force, the Army is to receive 40 new armoured personnel carriers (APCs) which will be in place by 2002. The Department of Defence is also tendering for five new medium-lift helicopters, each capable of carrying around 20 troops.
The EU-wide implications will be discussed further at an EU ministers' meeting later this month, and ratification of the Republic's membership is expected at a heads of state meeting later.
To meet the Defence Forces' commitment, the Chief-of-Staff said the military had to overcome a prolonged period of reorganisation.
He told the conference: "It is not my intention to dwell on the past during my address here today, a period which has brought sometimes painful change to the Defence Forces." He added: "I believe we are coming to the end of an era of uncertainty and instability and we must now look to the future.
"The Defence Forces can now look forward to more stability in our organisational establishment. We now have the means to develop into a professional, efficient and effective force.
"The State needs this force to participate in multinational peace support, crisis management and humanitarian relief operations overseas and continue to provide for internal security at home."
He continued: "We are at a watershed in the evolution of the Defence Forces. We are moving from a garrison-based organisation, dominated by ATCP [Aid to the Civil Power] and security duties to having a significant part of the Defence Forces prepared to deploy with a rapid reaction force for European operations.
"My target is that by the end of 2003 the Defence Forces will have a light-infantry group with adequate armoured protection, fully trained and equipped with the necessary logistical support, prepared to deploy for such operations as directed by government.
"The depth of international experience in the officer body enhances our capabilities for EU training and deployment with the rapid reaction force."
This force, sometimes referred to as the Headline Goal, will be 60,000 strong and established by the EU member-states.
He emphasised that any deployment by the Defence Forces would be under a UN mandate or authority, and participation would be defined by the government.
Lieut Gen Mangan added: "Our membership of a European rapid reaction force will demand that our training is of the highest standard possible."
He said the Army must "strive for the highest standard of operational effectiveness and integration between the combat units, combat support units and combat service support units".
A shortage of young officers in the Defence Forces has reached critical levels, with concerns growing for the safety and wellbeing of sea-going officers in the Naval Service, the RACO conference heard yesterday.
The Naval Service is said to be operating at strengths of 50 per cent and under in particular branches.
The conference heard that the service is short of 50 bridge watchkeeping officers, 43.5 per cent of the officially sanctioned figure.
The service is being run with only 45 per cent of the sanctioned number of engineering officers and 40 per cent of the general operators.
Yesterday's conference passed three motions calling for the recruitment of more personnel.