Sinn Féin TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire has criticised the government's treatment of Defence Forces personnel, saying members are being short-changed on pay and allowances.

Speaking after a meeting of the Oireachtas Defence Committee, Mr Ó Laoghaire, the party's spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Defence, said representative groups had highlighted attempts to run defence on a shoestring budget.

The TD acknowledged government announcements of increased defence spending, which he said were badly needed, but argued that personnel should be prioritised.

He said security duty payments were not made to officers during duties associated with meetings hosted as part of Ireland's Presidency of the European Council.

He also said the Naval Engineer Technician Allowance had not progressed due to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform frustrating agreements already made.

Mr Ó Laoghaire said 6,000 personnel were waiting to be paid €3.7 million under local bargaining agreements earlier this year, though this had been partially resolved after personnel fought for the overdue payments.

The TD said the government was not in compliance with the Working Time Directive by refusing to define a working week for Defence Forces personnel and not adequately recording overtime, leaving many soldiers unpaid for work done.

He referenced a recent decision finding Ireland in violation of the European Social Charter over the prohibition on overtime payments and the absence of adequate public holiday premiums.

On recruitment and retention, Mr Ó Laoghaire said the government would miss the Commission of Defence Forces target of 11,500 personnel by 2028, and he doubted it would even meet the baseline of 9,700.

He said aircraft inspector strength had fallen from 79% to 54%, while aircraft technician strength had fallen from 60% to 44%.

The TD also noted increased outsourcing, particularly on the technical side, which representative groups had described as a strategic risk and bad value for money.

Mr Ó Laoghaire said the service of Defence Forces personnel was being taken for granted and that the government must stop treating soldiers poorly.