A chara, - Many things have been said in the media about the claims for compensation for hearing damage to military personnel. I am amazed at some of the comments, e.g. "whining wimps", "knitting club members", "laughing stock of the world", to name but a few. I appeal to people in the media to consider a few facts before they participate in the unwarranted attacks on the integrity and high standing of the Irish defence forces.
Let me state a few relevant facts:
1. Yes, there are claims for hearing damage compensation which are a fact of life. Innuendo will not make this disappear. The public should be assured that there is a proper and unbiased legal system that will arbitrate fairly in the interests of all concerned, including the taxpayer.
2. Not all of the serving members of the Defence Forces are claiming compensation. To date the figure is about 2,800. The bulk of claims are from ex-members and the Reserve.
3. If criticism is to be levelled at anybody, it has to be at the people who failed in their duty to provide proper hearing protection, a negligence conceded by the military authorities. My concern is for the women and men of our defence forces who have feelings also, and on whose behalf I make a plea to the right-thinking public. We are the people who will maintain your essential services in the event of industrial action, who will sail our seas to protect our fishing industry, who will take to the skies to provide rescue services in the name of humanity, who will stand on foreign soils and risk our lives in the service of peace. We are the people who are prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice in the service of our country.
The integrity and respect that have been won at such a high price, both at home and abroad, are too precious to be lost among sensational headlines. It is easy to demonise the women and men of the Defence Forces because we are the line of least resistance, but before you queue up to drive the boot in please consider the real damage that is being done to our integrity and good name. Then put a cost on that. - Is mise, Eamonn Lafferty, VicePresident, PDFORRA,
Capel Street,
Dublin 1.