Pdforra conference: Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea plans to recruit non- nationals into the Defence Forces to address staffing shortages, particularly in the medical corps.
Mr O'Dea said he wanted to see more women in the forces and once progress in this area was made, there would be a recruitment drive to attract non-nationals.
"We have had a problem recruiting doctors because of all the money they can make and we have hired two Czech doctors and one from South Africa," he said at the annual conference of the Defence Forces staff representative association, Pdforra, in Athlone, Co Westmeath.
Asked if he would consider a wider recruitment drive aimed specifically at non-nationals, he said: "Yes, that is something we will consider. Any non-national who is eligible to work in Ireland is eligible to join the Defence Forces."
Pdforra president Willie Webb told delegates the medical services within the Defence Forces were "totally inadequate".
"Members are now digging into their own pockets to pay for treatment which allows them to return to full duties in order to protect their careers and contracts. There is an urgent need to provide private medical treatment to enlisted personnel where appropriate."
Mr O'Dea said a decision was imminent on whether Ireland would commit troops to the proposed EU rapid-reaction battle groups.
A report was already with Attorney General Rory Brady, who was considering the legal issues. Irish soldiers would remain on with the UN mission in Liberia until the end of next year.
He rejected suggestions that investment in the Defence Forces had been greatly reduced in the past decade. There had been unprecedented investment recently and morale was very high as a result, he said
Pdforra deputy general secretary Simon Devereux had called for greater investment. He had been concerned at the way defence expenditure had fallen from 1.3 per cent of GDP to 0.7 per cent in the last 10 years.