DELEGATES attending a major conference of the military organisation,
Euromil in the South Court Hotel were reminded of Limerick's military
history when they were addressed by the Minister for Defence, Willie
O'Dea.
"The local military barracks here is called Sarsfield Barracks and was
named in honour of Patrick Sarsfield who rose to fame as a soldier in
the army of the Catholic King of England, James I," he told the
gathering. "Following the ending of the siege of Limerick in 1691,
Sarsfield, along with some 12,000 officers and men was exiled to France
where, under James II, they were formed into four regiments which were
later known as the famous Irish Brigades of France and were poetically
christened the Wild Geese who throughout the following centuries
continued to make their presence felt throughout the world fighting in
every major conflict from the days of Louis XIV to the Second World
War."
Reminding the attendance that Irish soldiers are continuing to make
their mark abroad, the Minister said that since 1958, members of the
Defence Forces have completed more than 53,000 individual tours of duty
overseas and have served with distinction with the United Nations in
such places as the Middle East, Central America and Africa.
Since its foundation in 1972, Euromil now comprises 34 member
associations from 22 countries representing nearly 500,000 individuals.
"These impressive figures are a testament to your organisation's
development and to the growing awareness and acceptance among European
countries of the Citizen in Uniform principle," said Minister O'Dea.
He paid tribute to the significant part the organisation played in the
introduction of representation into the Irish Defence Forces culminating
in the establishment of PDFORRA and said that despite some shaky
beginnings, representation has now become an accepted part of the way
that personnel management is conducted in the Defence Forces.
"Since taking up my appointment just over a year ago I have seen the
process in operation at first hand, through the agreed formal mechanism.
I have also noted the significant amount of informal contact between
PDFORRA and RACO representatives and the civil and military staff of my
Department," he said.
The Minister said that Ireland is currently contributing approximately
749 Defence Forces personnel to 19 different missions throughout the
world.
"The main commitments are to the United Nations Mission in Liberia with
413 personnel, to the NATO-led International Security presence in
Kosovo, with 210 personnel and to EUFOR, the EU-led operation in Bosnia
and Herzegovina, with 54 personnel. Other personnel are serving as
monitors and observers with the United Nations, the Organisation for
Security and Co-operation in Europe and the European Union.
The minister said that Irish people are proud of Ireland's involvement
in peacekeeping and that shortly the Minister for Foreign Affairs,
Dermot Ahern and he will be announcing a programme of events to
commemorate the 50th anniversary of Ireland joining the United Nations
on December 14 in 1955.
"I would like to commend all those members of the Defence Forces and
indeed other Forces who are serving or have served overseas," concluded
the Minister.
Euromil in the South Court Hotel were reminded of Limerick's military
history when they were addressed by the Minister for Defence, Willie
O'Dea.
"The local military barracks here is called Sarsfield Barracks and was
named in honour of Patrick Sarsfield who rose to fame as a soldier in
the army of the Catholic King of England, James I," he told the
gathering. "Following the ending of the siege of Limerick in 1691,
Sarsfield, along with some 12,000 officers and men was exiled to France
where, under James II, they were formed into four regiments which were
later known as the famous Irish Brigades of France and were poetically
christened the Wild Geese who throughout the following centuries
continued to make their presence felt throughout the world fighting in
every major conflict from the days of Louis XIV to the Second World
War."
Reminding the attendance that Irish soldiers are continuing to make
their mark abroad, the Minister said that since 1958, members of the
Defence Forces have completed more than 53,000 individual tours of duty
overseas and have served with distinction with the United Nations in
such places as the Middle East, Central America and Africa.
Since its foundation in 1972, Euromil now comprises 34 member
associations from 22 countries representing nearly 500,000 individuals.
"These impressive figures are a testament to your organisation's
development and to the growing awareness and acceptance among European
countries of the Citizen in Uniform principle," said Minister O'Dea.
He paid tribute to the significant part the organisation played in the
introduction of representation into the Irish Defence Forces culminating
in the establishment of PDFORRA and said that despite some shaky
beginnings, representation has now become an accepted part of the way
that personnel management is conducted in the Defence Forces.
"Since taking up my appointment just over a year ago I have seen the
process in operation at first hand, through the agreed formal mechanism.
I have also noted the significant amount of informal contact between
PDFORRA and RACO representatives and the civil and military staff of my
Department," he said.
The Minister said that Ireland is currently contributing approximately
749 Defence Forces personnel to 19 different missions throughout the
world.
"The main commitments are to the United Nations Mission in Liberia with
413 personnel, to the NATO-led International Security presence in
Kosovo, with 210 personnel and to EUFOR, the EU-led operation in Bosnia
and Herzegovina, with 54 personnel. Other personnel are serving as
monitors and observers with the United Nations, the Organisation for
Security and Co-operation in Europe and the European Union.
The minister said that Irish people are proud of Ireland's involvement
in peacekeeping and that shortly the Minister for Foreign Affairs,
Dermot Ahern and he will be announcing a programme of events to
commemorate the 50th anniversary of Ireland joining the United Nations
on December 14 in 1955.
"I would like to commend all those members of the Defence Forces and
indeed other Forces who are serving or have served overseas," concluded
the Minister.
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