Department Of Defence And Defence Forces Annual Report Is Published

Aug. 17, 2010 - PRLog -- Minister Killeen said: “2009 presented the usual challenges to the Defence Forces but the unusual events at home and abroad allowed a broad spectrum of capabilities to be deployed.”

Reflecting on events at home, the Minister added: “in years to come, 2009 will be remembered and not too fondly, by many people as the year of the big floods” The Minister once again paid tribute to the Defence Forces for the support they provided to the public at the request of local authorities and the HSE. The Minister said “the ‘can do’ attitude of the Defence Forces was put to the test by the many and varied tasks which they were requested to undertake during the time of crisis. The contribution of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps was welcomed and widely acknowledged”.

The Minister noted that in 2009, almost 1900 members of the Defence Forces served overseas and continued to enhance the reputation of Irish troops in places such as Chad, Kosovo and Bosnia- Herzegovina. The Minister recalled that the valuable contribution made by the Defence Forces to international peacekeeping, for more than 50 years, was recognised by the United Nations Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki-Moon during his visit to Ireland in July 2009.

In accepting the Annual Report, the Minister remembered the two members of the air corps who died when their plane crashed in October 2009. Minister Killeen said: “a year of so much visible and tangible success was tinged with great sadness. The loss of two young Air Corps personnel, Captain Derek Furniss and Cadet David Jevens, who tragically lost their lives in the course of a flight training exercise, reminds us all of the many risks and dangers that can be associated with a military career”.

The Minister complimented the Secretary General and the Chief of Staff for the dedication and commitment of both civil and military staff throughout a difficult and challenging year. Minister Killeen said “the McCarthy report, published in July 2009, acknowledged the ongoing reform in the Defence Organisation. The considerable modernisation and efficiencies that have been achieved in recent years in the Defence Organisation were central to the targeted reduction in numbers, recommended in that report, being achieved by year’s end”.

The Minister added that: “the flexibility, adaptability and willingness to embrace change, with a focus on continuous improvement, is now firmly embedded within the Defence Organisation. This is a fitting tribute to the former Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Dermot Earley, who passed away recently. His drive and determination played a key role in the continued modernisation and development of the Defence Forces.”

Concluding, Minister Killeen said “I wish to take this opportunity to record my appreciation for the work done by my predecessor as Minister, Mr Willie O’Dea TD.  I am confident that the Defence Organisation is well placed to meet the significant further challenges ahead and will continue to be widely regarded as a model of public sector reform”.

A copy of the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces Annual Report 2009 is available on the Department’s website www.defence.ie and the Defence Forces website www.military.ie.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editor:
- For further information please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 00353868534900 or media ( @ ) dunphypr dot com
- High-resolution images of Minister Killeen are available to download from www.dunphyprimages.com