Sinn Féin spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Defence, Matt Carthy says that critically low numbers within the Defence Forces are getting worse.
The Cavan Monaghan TD said that ministers are undermining Ireland's neutrality and independent foreign policy, and have failed to address the retention and recruitment crisis within the Forces.
Speaking to Shannonside Northern Sound this week, Deputy Carthy highlighted that the Government must address the matter with urgency.
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He pointed out that in 2019, the number of Defence Force personnel stood at 8,828 but the last count in May indicated there were just 7,764 boots on the ground.
Deputy Carthy added that successive Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael Governments have run the Defence Forces into the ground.
