Óglaigh na hÉireann paid for border duty

The Irish Defence Minister Alan Shatter revealed over 800 soldiers get the border duty allowance and that it will cost the cash-strapped Republic of Ireland State 4m euro this year alone.

According to Mr Shatter 33 officers get 111.97 euro per week for the non-existent border duties and 796 soldiers enjoy a weekly payment of 96.23 per week.

Soldiers are still paid the allowance - introduced at the height of the Troubles in 1972 - despite the massively reduced threat from republican subversives following the Belfast Agreement of 1998.

However, Mr Shatter said it was being phased out and that new soldiers will not be paid the allowance for imaginary border patrols.

The vast majority of recipients are based at Finner Camp in Donegal, and in barracks in Cavan and Dundalk.

Asked about the Defence forces allowances in the Dáil Mr Shatter stated: “Border Duty Allowance was introduced in January 1972 and is still in existence. It is payable at the rate of 96.23 per week to Enlisted Personnel and 111.97 per week to Officers.

“The Department sought to cease payment of this allowance under the modernisation agenda contained in the ‘Towards 2016’ Defence Sector Action Plan. “Following disagreement between the Department and the Representative Associations this issue went to third party Adjudication.

The Adjudicator found in favour of the Association and ruled that the allowance should be retained on a personal to holder basis for those who were in receipt of it on February 3, 2009.

“There have been no new recipients since this date and the allowance is being phased out as current holders retire or leave the Defence Forces.”