The Army, Navy and Air Corps need more funding and manpower, the Defence Forces representative body PDFORRA claimed today.
With Irish troops on peacekeeping missions in 16 countries around the world, the organisation warned that personnel numbers need to be increased in order to carry out United Nations' duties.
Despite an initial commitment to keep troop levels at 10,750 the Government later reduced this to 10,500 without consultation. Simon Devereux, deputy general secretary PDFORRA, said the cuts would bring added problems as Irish soldiers are called on to carry out more duties.
"We still spend less on defence than any other Defence Force in the EU," he said.
"This just does not make sense - as we have ongoing commitment at home, we have a long-standing commitment to the UN - and we are now committed to EU Battle Groups and all that this entails."
At the opening of its annual conference in Waterford, PDFORRA said the Defence Forces must be adequately resourced to perform duties on behalf of the United Nations.
The association also welcomed intervention by Defence Minister Willie O'Dea in the row over the amount of time naval personnel must spend at sea.
The minister will examine details of a report which found sailors were being forced to work at sea when they should be on shore rotation and available to their families.
PA