#navy - Next Saturday a parade will be held in Cork, Echolive reports, to highlight concerns about pay and conditions of members of the Naval Service.

The Parade for Respect and Loyalty will take place at 12 noon on the Grand Parade and is being held to raise support for the Navy members.

It will follow the commissioning tomorrow of the latest Naval ship, the LE George Bernard Shaw, in Waterford tomorrow (today, Sunday, 28 April).

And it comes after a series of parades and actions last year by veteran Defence Force members and the Wives and Partners of the Defence Forces.

One of the organisers, Defence Forces veteran Noel O'Callaghan said: "Our Navy has nine ships, of which two are in dry dock due to a shortage of sailors. To keep the other seven ships at sea they have to change around crews, and have unqualified sailors in specific appointments."

He said the concentration should instead be on pay, allowances and contracts of existing members.

More on the story can be found here.