The budget needs to be increased to provide meaningful defence for the state.
The Defences forces is a leaky bucket that we are continuously trying to fill, according to RACO General Secretary Conor King.
A near trebling of Ireland's military budget is one of the recommendations of a report on reforming the Defence Forces.
The Commission on the Defence Forces has said maintaining investment at current levels would leave them unable to conduct a meaningful defence of the state, against a sustained act of aggression.
The Government approved the establishment of the independent commission in December 2020.
The Commission seeks to develop a longer-term vision of Ireland’s security for 2030 and beyond.
Commdt. Conor King commented: "The really worrying thing for us is that the report has shown that business as usual, is not working in its current form.
" This report is vague on people and retention and how we are going to get up to 11,500.
"We are consistently void.
"The Defences forces is a leaky bucket that we are continuously trying to fill," he said.
PDFORRA President, Mark Keane:"We have to retain the people we have and then deal with recruiting the extra 3000 people."
Conor King and Mark Keane spoke with Clem Ryan on Thursday morning's Kildare Today:
Retired Army Captain, Tom Clonan, says cyber security defence capabilities should be prioritised:
Minister for Defence Simon Coveney says the Defence Forces will be completely reformed:

Man Charged Following Garda Response To Suspected Gun Incident Near Kilcock
Minister Announces Nationwide IPAS Security Review Following Drogheda Fire
Man Arrested After Suspected Gun Incident On M4 Near Kilcock - Garda Cars Damaged
Man In His 30s Dies After Being Struck By Bus On N7 At Kill
Loved Ones To Say Final Farewell To Ryan Weir Gibbons On Friday As Funeral Details Announced
Kildare Animal Welfare Group Condemns Dog’s Death After Suspected Firework Attack In Meath
Pedestrian Hit By Bus On The Naas Road Near Kill
BREAKING: Emergency Services Currently Attending Major Incident On N7 Northbound