Ireland's increased peacekeeping commitments require more staff and resources the defence forces representative body said on the day a 150-troop deployment to Lebanon was confirmed.
Minsiter for Defence Willie O'Dea today announced the Cabinet had authorised the sending of 150 soldiers to join the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon alongside the Finnish army.
They will be involved in reconnaissance and security and protection duties for the Finns carrying out humanitarian work and deal with unexploded ordnance.
Their tour of duty begins at the end of October.
"We return to Lebanon in unfortunate circumstances and against the backdrop of massive destruction of infrastructure and of the communities whom we served for over 23 years," Mr O'Dea told delegates at the PDforra conference in Waterford today.
"However, I am confident that there is a real and substantive role for the Defence Forces in supporting the rebuilding of Lebanon.
"This operation will provide a further opportunity for us to work closely and directly with one of our potential partners in the EU Nordic Battlegroup," he said.
The battlegroup will be a 1,500-strong force consisting of personnel Sweden, Finland, Estonia, and Norway.
PDforra deputy general secretary Simon Devereaux welcomed the announcement but said it underlined the need for better resourcing of the defence forces, which are currently operating in 16 countries.
"It will not be possible to continue to support these important missions unless we have a significant increase in personnel and a related increase in underlying expenditure, Mr Devereaux warned.
He also welcomed an indication from Mr O'Dea that he would consider adding 250 training places to the existing 10,500-strong force.