Department of Defence

Tolerance for Ireland’s neutrality may go down as Finland and Sweden joined Nato, Minister told

Warning contained in departmental briefing prepared for incoming Minister for Defence Simon Harris

Application of EU work directive to Defence Forces welcomed as ‘watershed moment’

Protections around breaks, work hours and annual leave already applicable to most workers in State

Gender pay gap increased at three government departments during 2024

Department of Equality again the only department at which women received higher average hourly pay

Four new military helicopters purchased for Air Corps in deal worth almost €100m

Aircraft from Airbus will be delivered early in 2027 in a deal worth €91.7m plus VAT

Irish naval ships may have to deploy unarmed as weapons unit down to single technician

Minimum of three artificers required to service a ship’s guns before vessel goes out on patrol

Defence Forces Tribunal to embark on vast discovery process likely involving millions of documents

Ms Justice Anne Power is to file discovery orders demanding all documents relating to allegations of abuse held by both the Defence Forces and Minister for Defence going back up to 41 years

More than €220m of defence budget unspent since 2012, report finds

Findings focus on Irish Naval Service which has been hit hard by retention crisis and call for increases in payments for service’s reserve

Ireland will cease purchases of Israeli military equipment, says Tánaiste

Ongoing contracts to be put under review as violence in Gaza continues

Israeli arms companies can bid for Irish drones contract

Military sources say Israeli arms producers well-positioned to tender as they are considered world leaders in drone technology

Tánaiste writes to UN raising ‘extreme concern’ after peacekeepers caught in suspected Israeli strike

Six Irish soldiers were unharmed after vehicles were damaged in incident in southern Lebanon

Ireland just as vulnerable to security threats as neighbours despite neutrality, defence review concludes

Country needs to do much more to protect its territory, including working in closer co-operation with like-minded countries, review finds

After 100 years, the Defence Forces will finally be allowed manage its own affairs

Unlike many other countries, the Chief of Staff is entirely bypassed under the Irish military’s command and control structure

Defence Forces oversight body criticises lack of information on ‘inappropriate behaviour’

External Oversight Body expresses concern at ‘the slow pace of change’ in forces

Inquiry into claims of bullying and sexual misconduct in Defence Forces set to begin

Tribunal of inquiry will investigate allegations of discrimination and harassment in Defence Forces made by Women of Honour members

Ireland to spend €12 million refilling EU arm stockpiles

Act in Support of Ammunition Production designed to restock member states’ armouries depleted by Ukraine war

Defence Forces pull out of Blacksod D-Day commemoration at last minute after officials intervene

Maureen Sweeney provided weather readings from remote Co Mayo harbour that delayed the Normandy landings

Ireland’s reputation being ‘rubbished’ by Defence Forces recruitment and retention issues

Independent TD Verona Murphy makes criticism as senior Department of Defence officials appear at Public Accounts Committee

Military officers group not engaging with external oversight body set up to transform culture

Representative Association of Commissioned Officers objects to the presence of the Department’s Secretary General on the board, says it undermines indepence

Blurred military lines: When Defence Forces soldiers cross over into the world of private contractors

Some Irish soldiers - often looking for more pay - have worked in private security in overseas countries while on leave

Defence Forces officers’ body accuses department of abusing position with proposed legislation

Raco says move to prohibit specific officers from being members of union will breach fundamental rights

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