Commission on Defence Forces Submission
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2021 Commission on Defence Forces Submission 19th of March 2021 Submitted by Captain Paul Edward Roche on behalf of the Irish Institute of Master Mariners Irish Institute Commission on Defence Forces of Master Mariners The Irish Institute of Master Mariners (IIMM) is a non-political organisation of qualified mariners. Our aim is to promote safe, efficient and professional conduct in the public and commercial maritime sectors in Ireland and internationally. The IIMM is a member of the International Federation of Shipmasters’ Associations (IFSMA) and the Confederation of European Shipmasters’ Associations (CESMA). The Institutes’ expertise in the global maritime sector will be reflected in this submission. www.mastermariners.com The Irish Institute of Master Mariners has made the following submissions to the Irish Government in: 2019 National Security Strategy 2018 Marine Spatial Planning 2017 RIA on Merchant Shipping Bill 2015 Maritime Taxation 2014 Maritime Safety Strategy 2013 White Paper on Defence 2012 Harnessing Our Oceans Wealth Page | 1 19th of March 2021 Irish Institute Commission on Defence Forces of Master Mariners Irish Institute of Master Mariners ..................................................................................... 1 Contents .......................................................................................................................... 2 Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 3 Executive Summary ......................................................................................................... 4 Capabilities ...................................................................................................................... 5 Defence Attaché ............................................................................................................... 6 The Irish Naval Service (INS) ............................................................................................. 7 Maritime Risks to the State .............................................................................................. 8 Irish Naval Service Capability .......................................................................................... 10 Irish Merchant Marine .................................................................................................... 15 Army .............................................................................................................................. 16 Air Corps ........................................................................................................................ 17 Finance .......................................................................................................................... 18 Domestic Defence Industry ............................................................................................. 18 Structure ........................................................................................................................ 19 Navy Command .............................................................................................................. 19 Staffing .......................................................................................................................... 20 Reserve Defence Forces (RDF) ........................................................................................ 22 Irish Naval Service Reserve (NSR) .................................................................................... 24 Page | 2 19th of March 2021 Irish Institute Commission on Defence Forces of Master Mariners Introduction The first duty of the Irish Government is the defence of the State and the protection of its citizens at home and abroad. To achieve this requires hard and soft power using a well trained and equipped military force backed by international treaties in defence and trade. The Irish Government tasks Óglaigh na hÉireann to use hard power in defence of the State through continuous assessment of the security and defence environment1. Óglaigh na hÉireann also provides soft power through use of hard power assets such as in the United Nations mandated Operation Sophia in the Mediterranean where the Irish Naval Service (INS) rescued over 18,000 migrants in 4 years2. Ireland must recognise a well-equipped and well-trained Defence Force is required to preserve a safe, secure and stable democracy. If the security situation in Northern Ireland rapidly destabilised would Ireland be able to cope with 100,000 refugees or more in a matter of weeks? Difficult to calculate but a strong and capable Óglaigh na hÉireann significantly improves the probability of a positive outcome. To define the capabilities, structure and staffing for Óglaigh na hÉireann through to 2030 requires an effective strategy, properly resourced to meet the objectives set. For Óglaigh na hÉireann to defend the State and its citizens successfully the Government needs to take bold and decisive action by delivering a National Security Strategy (NSS). The ‘Programme for Government: Our Shared Future’3 does not include this. The Office of the Taoiseach requested public submissions to develop the NSS between 5th – 31st December 2019. Many interested parties, including the IIMM, did so in a very tight time frame. The results of the consultation have not been published4. No doubt epistemic security will be a new chapter to add. The Government did publish a ‘National Risk Assessment 2019 - Overview of Strategic Risk5. This deals with the potential risks to the State, however, there is no plan or outline of how these risks will be managed or budgeted for to minimise the impact to the State. In summary, to discuss the Capabilities, Structure and Staffing of Óglaigh na hÉireann up to and beyond 2030 requires a National Security Strategy that is properly resourced to meet the threats to the State and its citizens. In the absence of such a document, certain assumptions must be made for the purposes of this submission. 1 Department of Defence. 2021. White Paper Implementation Programme. Dublin: Government of Ireland. 2 Irish Times. 2019. EU ends migrant rescue mission in Mediterranean. 27 March. Accessed 18 March, 2021. https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/eu-ends-migrant-rescue-mission-in-mediterranean 3 Department of the Taoiseach. 2020. Programme for Government: Our Shared Future. Dublin: Government of Ireland. Accessed February 16, 2021. https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/7e05d-programme-for-government-our-shared-future/ 4 Department of the Taoiseach. 2019. Public Consultation on the development of a National Security Strategy. 05 December. Accessed February 16, 2021. https://www.gov.ie/en/consultation/8b3a62-public-consultation-on-the- development-of-a-national-security-strate/ 5 Department of the Taoiseach, 2019. National Risk Assessment 2019 – Overview of Strategic Risk. Dublin: Government of Ireland. Accessed February 21, 2021. Page | 3 19th of March 2021 Irish Institute Commission on Defence Forces of Master Mariners Executive Summary A fit for purpose Óglaigh na hÉireann requires a National Security Strategy (NSS) which is properly resourced. The NSS should be reviewed annually and subject to inspection by the Oireachtas. Every 5 years a White Paper on Defence should be produced. This should have an oversight body independent of the Department of Defence and Óglaigh na hÉireann and be directly accountable to Dáil Éireann. Defined budgets should be agreed by all parties to ensure recommendations are met. The oversight body should have sufficient powers to hold either party accountable to Dáil Eireann if recommendations are not met or actioned. Óglaigh na hÉireann has suffered from chronic underinvestment for years. Having the right people is key to a strong and vibrant defence force. Retention and recruitment must be a priority and providing an attractive pay and conditions package to Óglaigh na hÉireann personnel is the first step. If Ireland is to overcome unplanned crises such as pandemics, political instability or security events in the State and meet its international obligations in regions that affect the stability and security of Europe, then it will need to increase investment substantially so as to enhance the probability of a positive outcome. At 0.3% GDP, Ireland continues to rank in the lower tiers in Western Europe in spend on Defence6. 6 Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. 2020. SIPRI Military Expenditure Database. Stockholm: Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, 13. Accessed February 16, 2021. https://www.sipri.org/sites/default/files/Data%20for%20all%20countries%20from%201988%E2%80%932019%20as%20a% 20share%20of%20GDP.pdf Page | 4 19th of March 2021 Irish Institute Commission on Defence Forces of Master Mariners Capabilities The military capabilities presented in this submission may appear unrealistic particularly when viewed through the prism of present circumstances. The fact remains that in 10 years defending and protecting Ireland, the European Union (EU) as a responsible member state, and its citizens wherever they may be will require the military capability outlined in this submission. The threats faced today are very different from those of 10 years ago and will be different again in 10 years from now. The European migrant crisis in the Mediterranean, Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic are unpredictable events which had a significant impact in the last decade. However, the efforts of the Department