The annual National Day of Commemoration for those who died in past wars or on service with the United Nations takes place today. 

A commemoration ceremony will take place in Collins’ Barracks, Co Cork, at 2pm today. 

President Michael D Higgins and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar are due to attend the annual event. 

TD and former army captain Cathal Berry told Newstalk today marks a day of “celebration as well as commemoration”. 

“We have maintained our democracy down through the years,” he said. “We should recognise how fragile and how precious it is, and we should be prepared to protect it. 

“It's important that we take at least one day every single year to remember those people who made the ultimate sacrifice to ensure our democracy has not only survived but thrived in the last 100 years.” 

Peacekeeping operations

Since the 1960s, 88 people have died on oversea appointments, including 47 troops in Lebanon and 46 in the Republic of the Congo. 

The most recent death was that of Private Sean Rooney, who died on a UN Peacekeeping operation in Lebanon. He was also recently honoured at the 75th anniversary of the UN in New York. 

22/12/2022 Family members watch as the coffin of Pte Seán Rooney is carried from the Holy Family Church, Dundalk, this morning. The Irish peacekeeper, who was killed in Lebanon, will be buried with full military honours today. Photograph: Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie

Deputy Barry said while resources have improved for the Defence Forces in recent decades, more support is required. 

“The resourcing of the Defence Forces has left a lot to be desired over the last number of decades,” he said. 

“In the run-up to the Budget, it's very important that our Defence Forces and our defence community generally get more resources so that they can protect themselves. 

“There's risk from an environmental perspective, but then there's an operation risk as well as because the reason there are peacekeeping troops being deployed is because it's a volatile operation situation.”