The Government should consider recruiting non-nationals to the Defence Forces, an organisation representing soldiers has suggested.
PDFORRA called yesterday for foreigners who have lived in the State for six months and who are deemed to be of good character to be given the opportunity of joining the forces.
The general secretary of PDFORRA, which represents non-commissioned ranks, also suggested last night that if the new recruits made a sufficient commitment to the Defence Forces they could obtain Irish citizenship.
Mr John Lucey said he believed "many non-nationals living in Ireland would welcome the opportunity to make a commitment to the Defence Forces and many of these people have the necessary skills which would be compatible with our present needs."
The military is experiencing a serious shortfall in recruitment, mainly as a result of the improvement in the economy. The target intake for recruitment this year was 750 but so far less than 400 young people have signed up.
Simultaneously, a large number is seeking to leave the forces early.
Mr Lucey said the "necessary security clearance and other standard assessments" would have to be carried out but he did not think this would present any great problems.
"If non-nationals make a satisfactory period of commitment to the Defence Forces, this should also guarantee them citizenship so there are benefits in this proposal for all the parties involved," he added.
It is policy within the Partnership for Peace (PfP) military alliance of Western states - to which Ireland is affiliated - that its members should engage in "promoting positive inclusion of minority ethnic groups".
By the end of September only 390 recruits had completed induction at the Curragh out of a total targeted figure of 750. A new recruitment campaign with advertising and promotional material is under way to try and make up the shortfall.
It is believed there are critically low levels of staff in units which require technical and computer skills as members leave the Defence Forces for much better-paid jobs in the private sector.
Earlier this year, two junior officers bought themselves out of their contracts, paying more than £30,000 in order to take up well-paid jobs. Sources say that years of reduction and reorganisation have also led many personnel to have a poor view of career prospects.