Tá áthas orainn an Ráiteas Straitéise 2026-2029 seo. Léigh anseo https://www.gov.ie/ga/an-roinn-cosanta/foilseachain/department-of-defence-and-defence-forces-strategy-statement-2026-2029/

The Department of Defence and Defence Forces Strategy Statement 2026-2029 is now available to view online. Read here https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-defence/publications/department-of-defence-and-defence-forces-strategy-statement-2026-2029/

Minister Helen McEntee has welcomed the reappointment of Mr. Alan Mahon as Ombudsman for the Defence Forces for a further 8 months. Read more here: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-defence/press-releases/minister-mcentee-welcomes-reappointment-of-ombudsman-for-the-defence-forces/

The sun shone for the Informal meeting of EU Defence Policy Directors last week at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham. The Department was proud to host the event, the first Department of Defence event of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the EU. Ní neart go cur le cheile - Strength with unity

The Department of Defence wishes to convey our sympathy to the family of the late David Andrews, who twice served as Minister for Defence (January 1993 to December 1994 and June 1997 to October 1997). Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

🌈 Proud to mark #DublinPride today, celebrating inclusion, diversity and equality. Delighted that Minister Helen McEntee and Secretary General Jacqui McCrum joined us, alongside colleagues from the Proud to Work for Ireland Network, in showing support for the LGBTQ+ community.

The Minister for Defence, Helen McEntee TD, welcomed the Government’s approval this week of the continued participation of the Defence Forces in the UN-authorised NATO-led peace-support operation in Kosovo (KFOR), for a further period of 12 months beyond June 2026 Read more: https://bit.ly/4eEoFWl

The Minister for Defence, Helen McEntee TD welcomed the introduction of Supplemental Military Service (SMS) for the Reserve Defence Force (RDF), which will regularise RDF activities to support the Permanent Defence Force (PDF). Read more here: https://bit.ly/4ok43Hp

The Minister for Defence, Helen McEntee TD today (3 June) met her French counterpart, Mme Catherine Vautrin, in Paris, ahead of Ireland’s forthcoming Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Read more here: https://bit.ly/4uQXz5d

Our statement on the UN mandates and the current status

On #UNPeacekeepersDay, we honour the courage and sacrifice of peacekeepers past and present. Ireland is proud to have 385 Defence Forces personnel serving overseas on UN and UN mandated missions. #UnitedNations #peacekeepers #UN

The Government has approved the continued participation of the Defence Forces in the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) through to the planned conclusion of the mission’s mandate. Read more here: https://bit.ly/4vaZD7U

The Minister for Defence Helen McEntee TD took the valuable opportunity to engage directly with the wider membership of PDFORRA in Westport at their annual delegate conference. Read more here: https://bit.ly/4uax3n3

This week we celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Army Equitation School (AES). at McKee Barracks in the Phoenix Park. The Minister for Defence Helen McEntee inspected the parade at an event celebrating a century of excellence, service & sporting achievement. Read More: https://bit.ly/4dclSUF

We are pleased to mark the official opening of the new Dining Hall at Aiken Barracks #Dundalk by Minister for Defence Helen McEntee today. The project represents an investment of €5.6 million. Felix O'Hara Company Ltd delivered the project to an exceptionally high standard.

The Minister for Defence, Helen McEntee TD, today conducted a Ministerial Review of the 128th Infantry Battalion at Sarsfield Barracks, Limerick, ahead of the Battalion’s deployment to Lebanon with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Read more here: https://bit.ly/4d9oeUi

We were pleased to mark the official opening of the new Dining Hall at Aiken Barracks, #Dundalk by Minister for Defence Helen McEntee. Read more here: https://bit.ly/4d9oeUi #DefenceForces #InfrastructureInvestment #Modernisation

The Minister for Defence, Helen McEntee TD, officially opened the refurbished Block 4 accommodation building in the Naval Service Base, Haulbowline, Co. Cork. Read more here: https://bit.ly/4udNIFE

Minister Helen McEntee addressed the Valentia Island Subsea Cable Security and Resilience Symposium today. Read more here: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-defence/press-releases/minister-addresses-valentia-island-subsea-cable-security-and-resilience-symposium/

Minister Helen McEntee was at the Curragh Camp today for the Commissioning Ceremony of the 101st Army Cadet Class. A proud day for 52 new officers. https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-defence/press-releases/minister-mcentee-attends-101st-army-cadet-class-commissioning-ceremony/

Minister for Defence, Helen McEntee TD, today attended a call to discuss the situation in Lebanon, the United Nations peacekeeping mission, and developments on the ground. More here: https://bit.ly/4mcFdrW

Statement from Minister Helen McEntee regarding the attacks on Indonesian UNIFIL personnel in Lebanon.

It was great to host two of our Veterans’ Associations ARCO and IUNVA today in Trinity Point for positive and engaging talks with Minister for Defence Helen McEntee TD, who reaffirmed Ireland’s commitment to all of the brave men and women who have served Óglaigh na hÉireann.

Minister Helen McEntee and UK Secretary of State John Healey have signed an update of the existing Memorandum of Understanding. Read more: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-defence/press-releases/minister-mcentee-signs-memorandum-of-understanding-with-the-united-kingdom-ministry-of-defence/

Government Approval to begin drafting legislation that will provide the Defence Forces with new powers to safeguard Ireland’s maritime domain https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-defence/press-releases/minister-mcentee-proposes-new-legal-powers-for-the-naval-service/

All submissions received from the public during the consultation period for the National Maritime Security Strategy can now be found on link below https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-defence/campaigns/consultation-on-the-proposed-national-maritime-security-strategy/

It was an honour to host Veterans’ Associations ONE and REMA for positive and engaging talks with Minister for Defence Helen McEntee TD, who reaffirmed Ireland’s commitment to all of the brave men and women who have served Óglaigh na hÉireann. We look forward to meeting ARCO and IUNVA very shortly.

Minister for Defence, Helen McEntee TD, has confirmed a €17.65 million contract for the construction of a new Army Ranger Wing HQ. Read more: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-defence/press-releases/1765-million-investment-in-defence-forces-army-ranger-wing-arw-headquarters-curragh-co-kildare/

The Departments of Defence and Climate, Energy & the Environment have allocated €470,000 to support this two-year pilot programme, aimed at enhancing maritime cyber resilience and assessing risks to critical underwater infrastructure.

Minister for Defence, Helen McEntee, has secured Cabinet approval for the establishment of a Defence Attaché network. Read more: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-defence/press-releases/minister-mcentee-welcomes-cabinet-decision-on-the-establishment-of-a-defence-attach%C3%A9-network/