On Thursday, 20th November 2025 The Joint Committee on Defence and National Security invited ARCO to a meeting in Leinster House to brief the Committee in relation to Key Issues Affecting Defence Forces Veterans. Invitations to the meeting were also sent to the Irish United Nations Veterans Association, the Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel and the Irish Defence Forces Veterans Association. ARCO was represented by our President, Major-General Maureen O’Brien DSM (Retd) and by Commandant Billy Campbell (Retd).
In her opening statement Maureen outlined the background to the setting up of ARCO, to its focus on pensions, and to the wide range of issues, activities and events in which it engages. She also outlined our active involvement with CAOGA and with the DFBF. The text of the Opening Statement is HERE.
Following the other organisations’ opening statements, the members of the Joint Committee engaged in a wide-ranging discussion with the veterans’ representatives. This included homelessness, mental health issues, the difficulties in adapting to civilian life, the abatement of pensions, and the setting up of the Office of Veterans Affairs. The following is a link to a Video of the Meeting.
The meeting provided a welcome opportunity to brief cross-party and independent members of the Dáil and Seanad on the key issues facing many of our veterans.
