It has been claimed hundreds of soldiers, sailors and Air Corps staff have spent thousands of euro of their own money to get out of the Defence Forces. Former Captain in the Armed Forces, Dr Tom Clonan, said the Defence Forces have never recovered salary cuts made during the economic crisis. General Secretary of PDFORRA, Gerard Guinan, said: "Figures attained by PDFORRA show that 118 personnel have purchased their discharge from the Defence Forces in the past year. "Right across the Public Sector the Working Time Directive applies and pay rates are based on set hours. Within the Defence Forces, however, pay is on an annualised basis and a small allowance is paid for those hours worked beyond normal duty hours.

Source: Evening echo October 02, 2018 11:03 UTC