Campaigners seeking better pay and conditions for Defence Forces personnel ask for your support this Saturday morning

‘Stand to’ outside constituency offices of all elected representatives, on Saturday, December 1, from 10.30am to 12.30pm.

‘Respect and Loyalty for Defence Forces Ireland’ are requesting Defence Forces families, friends and veterans of all ranks and corps to ‘stand to’ outside constituency offices of local, national and European elected representatives – all political parties and independents – in cities towns and villages, on Saturday, December 1, from 10.30am to 12.30pm.

Veterans who belong to a particular DF organisation or association whose constitution does not allow for such an event are asked not to wear their association dress or bring their groups into disrepute.

“Your presence as a veteran is what is important, regardless of dress,” said Mullingar man, Noel O’Callaghan, a retired sergeant major.

“This is not a protest; and Respect and Loyalty is apolitical,” he said.

“This is a campaign of awareness of the crisis our Defence Forces are in due to political indifference, political flattery (not loyalty) and the control by the civil servants in the Department of Defence.”

Mr O’Callaghan said the aim is to remind all who are going for election next year that the Defence Forces community in the 39 constituencies will be voting strategically for those who support pay restoration and improved conditions for members of the Defence Forces.

He asked that no more than eight people attend at each location, so they do not affect local people or business, or the elected representatives.

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Mr O’Callaghan said: “Our code of conduct is a dignified and respectful presence in the best traditions of our Defence Forces.

“It is important we remember this when interacting with all our elected representatives.”

There is a second part of the campaign, which is awareness-raising, from December 3 to December 14, when people are asked to email and post updated lobby letters to those same local, national and European elected representatives of all political parties and independents in your city, town and village.