The capacity of our depleted Defence Forces to serve in foreign missions has been ‘massively compromised’ after it has emerged that a huge swathe of Army services have been outsourced to the private sector.

Former Army Ranger and Independent TD Cathal Berry spoke out after Defence Minister Helen McEntee confirmed the military is unable to sustain itself at home – let alone on missions abroad – without the help of outside contractors.

In response to parliamentary queries from Independent TD Carol Nolan, the Minister has detailed a raft of the Army functions that have now been outsourced. These include:

■ Key ‘medical personnel’ who are filling specialist roles;

■ The ‘maintenance and upkeep’ of Defence Forces’ installations;

■ Transport vehicle maintenance and contracts for ‘crash repairs and painting services’;

■ Communications, ‘information systems functions’ and ‘technical support in various areas’;

■ The hiring of civilian ‘specialised ordinance [map surveyors] instructors’ to teach cadets;

■ Maintenance of Navy vessels – including works on ‘main engines and propulsion systems’ and other kit including ‘diving equipment’;

■ The hiring of ‘civilian technical support’ to the Air Corps, as well as ‘maintenance support’ for ‘certain aircraft types.

Minister McEntee also confirmed ‘ATC [Air Traffic Control] operational capacity’ has been reduced since June last year, and added that ‘certain pilot training has been undertaken externally’.

And she revealed flight operations – including some ‘Ministerial Air Transport Service Charter flights’ – have been delivered by ‘external service providers’.

A key element of the Coalition’s Foreign and Defence policy is to end the so-called ‘triple lock’ mechanism that requires the approval of the UN Security Council, the Government and the Dáil before the armed forces can be deployed on peace missions abroad.

However, TD Cathal Berry said that the level of Army outsourcing confirmed by Minister McEntee ‘massively compromises on our capacity to deploy’.

The security consultant told the MoS: ‘The level of outsourcing in the armed forces is very worrying. We used to have our own apprentices, electricians, mechanics – all the necessities. It is particularly impactful on overseas deployments. You cannot bring civilian GPs or cooks overseas.

‘It massively compromises on our capacity to deploy. You can’t expect a civilian mechanic or cook or pilot to adjust. They don’t have the warrior ethos.’

Independent Senator and former Defence Forces member Gerard Craughwell also noted: ‘This level of outsourcing would not be common in armies. It is a relatively new phenomenon in the Irish Army and is one consequence of the huge downsizing of Army personnel.’

Minister McEntee provided the information on Army outsourcing two months after Carol Nolan had tabled a parliamentary question in February that was seeking details on ‘the number of outsourced services in the Defence Forces and the plans to bring them back in-house’.

Deputy Nolan said the Minister’s response shows the country is ‘overwhelmingly exposed’ to external threats.

The Independent Offaly TD told the MoS: ‘While we have been aware of the funding, infrastructure and equipment issues that have plagued the Defence Forces for some time, these latest revelations point to a profoundly alarming inability of the Irish Army to sustain itself on a war footing.

‘Effectively, it seems that all arms of the Defence Forces – from mechanics to cooks to air traffic controllers – are heavily dependent on private companies and outsourced contracts.’

And she further warned: ‘The security implications are obvious. We are overwhelmingly exposed.

‘It is absolutely essential, therefore, that this level of deterioration and lack of readiness is addressed as a matter of urgency.’

In her response to Ms Nolan’s query, the Minister noted that, in many instances, ‘external resources have been engaged on a short-term basis due to staffing or skills shortages.’

Minister McEntee also said: ‘Increasing the recruitment and retention of personnel in the Defence Forces remains a key priority for me… both to address staffing and skills requirements.

‘In 2024, Defence Forces strength levels stabilised and recorded a modest increase in 2025.

‘This indicates that the key enabling measures are taking effect and [have been] delivering positive outcomes.’

The Fine Gael Meath East TD also noted the Defence Forces ‘are currently formulating a Strategic Workforce Plan to set out current personnel and skill sets’ and mapping out proposals to significantly increase military personnel numbers to 11,500, from the current number of just under 7,800.

The scale of Army outsourcing is revealed as Ireland comes under growing pressure to significantly bolster the country’s security infrastructure as Ireland prepares to take over the Presidency of the EU in July.

In response to queries, the Department of Defence said: ‘Minister for Defence Helen McEntee and the Department of Defence are fully committed to ensuring that Defence Forces readiness remains a cornerstone of national security.

‘Ongoing staffing and specialist skills challenges are being actively addressed as a clear priority, with a strong focus on building sustainable, long-term capacity.’