Madam, – On Thursday 200 Irish troops departed to join Unifil in South Lebanon. More will follow over the next few days.
As the Defence Forces commence their first major overseas mission since the withdrawal from Chad, and after more than 50 years of peace-keeping work all over the world, surely we must reflect on our attitude to Ireland’s professional soldiers, sailors and airmen and airwomen.
As a neutral country, and having been on the sorry end of armed control and repression, Ireland has thankfully never developed a militaristic culture.
That should not, however, prevent us from recognising that our own service-people are an exception group of people who bring inestimable credit to us through their professionalism, commitment and sense of duty.
We pay lip service to pride at our troops wearing blue berets in peace-keeping missions, we gush at their stunning ceremonial performances during State visits and yet a significant proportion of members of the Defence Forces are so poorly paid that they must rely on Social Welfare payments to provide for their families.
As a country and as a people we must review our attitude. Soldiers, sailors and airmen and women should not only to be paid and treated well but also deserve our respect, admiration and even affection.
As a normal citizen without any close links to the military, I for one salute you. – Yours, etc,