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#Defence Forces

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

<p>As part of the Government’s accelerating infrastructure plan, public expenditure minister Jack Chambers has established a simplification unit to carry out the review of regulations, focusing on environmental and maritime licences and consents.</p>

politics

Government plans to speed up major infrastructure projects

Public expenditure minister Jack Chambers will tell Cabinet ministers on Tuesday that pre-planning processes are taking as long as four years to complete

<p>While other European countries have consistently spent almost 2% of their GDP on defence, and most are now moving towards 3.5%, Ireland spends only 0.2%. File Picture: Brian Lawless/PA</p>

ourview

Irish Examiner view: Gaps in security make for worrying reading

<p>Though a vague concept for many people to penetrate, hybrid activity is seen as a range of aggressive state activity short of actual war.</p>

spotlight

Delays, failures, and 'half-funded' plans put Ireland's security in jeopardy

Close Up of a Professional Office Specialist Working on Desktop Computer in Modern Technological Monitoring Control Room with Di

news

Growing calls for Ireland to set up an EU presidency security task force

Colin Sheridan: Defence Forces funding increase must not erode Ireland’s neutrality

comment-analysis

Colin Sheridan: Defence Forces funding increase must not erode Ireland’s neutrality

Is Ireland drifting from neutrality amid Europe’s €381bn rearmament drive?

comment-analysis

Is Ireland drifting from neutrality amid Europe’s €381bn rearmament drive?

Managing retention and exit of personnel is key to resolving Defence Forces staffing issue

Managing retention and exit of personnel is key to resolving Defence Forces staffing issue

Private industry swoops in to hire highly-trained members of the Defence Forces. So the taxpayer is paying for that training while industry captures the return, writes Tony Geraghty

Wed, 18 Feb, 2026

'Horseplay' and explosion among 138 incidents that lead to Defence Forces injuries in two years

'Horseplay' and explosion among 138 incidents that lead to Defence Forces injuries in two years

The military said of the 138 reportable incidents in 2024 and 2025, 16 were classified as major and 122 as moderate

Mon, 16 Feb, 2026

Mick Clifford: Alan Kearney case has all the hallmarks of a miscarriage of justice

Mick Clifford: Alan Kearney case has all the hallmarks of a miscarriage of justice

The case of Alan Kearney highlights a dearth of accountability for the Defence Forces

Mon, 16 Feb, 2026

Defence Forces Ombudsman does not have power to investigate case of commandant denied promotion

Defence Forces Ombudsman does not have power to investigate case of commandant denied promotion

Before charges were laid on Alan Kearney, he was the leading candidate to fill the position of Captain of the Guard in Leinster House

Sun, 15 Feb, 2026

Distinguished Service Medal presentation

Defence Forces honour army chaplain who survived stabbing and forgave his attacker

Fr Paul Murphy's distinguished service medal recognises his strength and dignity during and after the stabbing at Renmore Barracks in Galway

Thu, 12 Feb, 2026

Cadet commissioning ceremony

Strength of Defence Forces rises in 2025, but remains well short of targets

The total strength of the Defence Forces stood at 7,756 at the end of 2025

Tue, 10 Feb, 2026

Dublin Airport passenger cap to be scrapped

Dublin Airport passenger cap to be scrapped

Cabinet will also hear plans for the basic income for the arts, infrastructure guidelines, the living city initiative, and recruitment and retention in the Defence Forces

Tue, 10 Feb, 2026

Minister to look at European ruling on public holiday allowances and overtime for Defence Forces

Minister to look at European ruling on public holiday allowances and overtime for Defence Forces

In a statement the department of defence said the minister, Helen McEntee, 'notes' the findings that Ireland is in breach of a European charter

Mon, 09 Feb, 2026

Taoiseach warns against enshrining Irish neutrality in the Constitution

Taoiseach warns against enshrining Irish neutrality in the Constitution

The Taoiseach argues a Constitutional guarantee of neutrality could restrict Ireland’s defence and peacekeeping capabilities, citing the triple lock

Sat, 07 Feb, 2026

58th UNIFIL Battalion at Dublin Airport 1986

Ireland is buying defence capability, without confronting what that actually requires

Ireland’s defence culture prioritises reassurance over coercion — a model increasingly misaligned with Europe’s deteriorating security environment

Tue, 03 Feb, 2026

ieExplains: What is the triple lock — and why the Government wants to abolish it

ieExplains: What is the triple lock — and why the Government wants to abolish it

The Government plans to remove UN approval from overseas troop deployments, reshaping Ireland’s long-standing defence and neutrality framework

Tue, 27 Jan, 2026

Simon Harris visit to Lebanon

Cabinet set to dismantle triple lock as it amends laws over deploying Irish troops

Ministers are expected to approve a series of amendments to new laws which would dismantle Ireland’s triple lock system

Mon, 26 Jan, 2026

Outsourcing Ireland's defence carries immediate strategic costs

Outsourcing Ireland's defence carries immediate strategic costs

If we don't exercise our sovereignty in practice, it becomes entirely theoretical — we must defend ourselves

Tue, 20 Jan, 2026

Government must do more to stop Defence Forces members from being lured to private sector

Government must do more to stop Defence Forces members from being lured to private sector

PDFORRA said the Government is ignoring recommendations of a commission it set up, which highlighted the need for enhanced pay for personnel whose skillsets took many years to develop

Sun, 18 Jan, 2026

National Security Strategy still unfinished four years after deadline, experts warn

National Security Strategy still unfinished four years after deadline, experts warn

Experts warn geopolitical instability, cyber threats and war in Ukraine demand urgent completion of Ireland’s first National Security Strategy

Fri, 09 Jan, 2026

Royal Navy shadow Russian ship

Defence spending: Ireland must take security risks seriously

Ireland has one of the lowest rates of military expenditure and capability of any advanced economy — and our position at the edge of Europe is no longer a guarantee of safety

Thu, 08 Jan, 2026

Local authorities won't follow party line on the triple lock

Local authorities won't follow party line on the triple lock

Although the Irish State is praised for having a strong and healthy democracy, the reality is that there are very few actual democratic mechanisms available to the Irish public — and they are often ignored by the Government when convenient

Mon, 29 Dec, 2025

'They are wonderful ambassadors for our country': Taoiseach reflects on visit to Irish soldiers in Lebanon

'They are wonderful ambassadors for our country': Taoiseach reflects on visit to Irish soldiers in Lebanon

During Micheál Martins' recent visit, the troops were keen to send Christmas messages to their families back home, with on Cork soldier adding he hoped for Carrigtwohill to 'drive it on in the hurling'

Tue, 23 Dec, 2025

'Russia was behind drone incursion during Zelenskyy visit' say Irish security sources

'Russia was behind drone incursion during Zelenskyy visit' say Irish security sources

Security agencies believe Russia or its proxies were likely involved, as gaps in Ireland’s air and maritime defences come into focus

Sat, 20 Dec, 2025

Taoiseach 'supportive' of review of healthcare needs of Air Corp personnel exposed to 'dangerous chemicals'

Taoiseach 'supportive' of review of healthcare needs of Air Corp personnel exposed to 'dangerous chemicals'

Review prompted by concerns raised about 'severe health outcomes, including untimely deaths, because of exposure to dangerous chemicals' among former Air Corps maintenance crews and other technicians

Fri, 19 Dec, 2025

Naval Service sees rise in recruitment for 2025

Naval Service sees rise in recruitment for 2025

However, the current strength is still well short of its establishment figure

Thu, 18 Dec, 2025

Army bomb squad called to North Cork home after devices discovered

Army bomb squad called to North Cork home after devices discovered

It is understood that the "historical ordnance" devices were found during construction work at the site

Wed, 17 Dec, 2025

State takes delivery of new Government jet

State takes delivery of new Government jet

The Department of Defence signed a deal for the French-made Falcon 6X last year

Tue, 16 Dec, 2025

Former Defence Forces officers say Ireland is under threat and may be at the mercy of drones

Former Defence Forces officers say Ireland is under threat and may be at the mercy of drones

Ireland has been left scrambling to catch up amid the heated geopolitical situation and the emergence of 'hybrid warfare'

Sat, 13 Dec, 2025

Ireland to spend €1.7bn on defence equipment in four years

Ireland to spend €1.7bn on defence equipment in four years

Increased budget to buy a range of items from radar and sonar systems to aircraft and combat vehicles

Thu, 11 Dec, 2025

Ireland will beef up drone defences ahead of assuming EU presidency

Ireland will beef up drone defences ahead of assuming EU presidency

Move comes in the wake of reports of objects in the skies near the flight path of the plane carrying Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy on his recent Dublin visit

Thu, 11 Dec, 2025

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visit to Ireland

Government pledges €300m for defence and anti-drone technology after Zelenskyy visit

Government ramps up defence spending, including €15m for anti-drone systems, after drones were detected near Zelenskyy’s flight

Tue, 09 Dec, 2025

SPAIN-CRIME-DRUGS

'We must match drone and robot tech that criminals and terrorists are using' – Europol

Police forces, including An Garda Síochána, must adapt to fight technology-enabled crime amid the surge of illegal use of drones and robots, according to EU law enforcement agency

Mon, 08 Dec, 2025

Retiring Irish navy chief warns of Cold War-level global threat

Retiring Irish navy chief warns of Cold War-level global threat

Commodore Michael Malone spoke to the 'Irish Examiner' about geopolitical threats — and memories of his 44 years of service including the navy's response to the 1985 Air India disaster

Fri, 05 Dec, 2025

Simon Harris visit to Lebanon

Irish peacekeepers safe after coming under fire in Lebanon

Irish UNIFIL troops escaped injury after coming under small-arms fire near Bint Jbeil, prompting condemnation from defence minister Helen McEntee

Fri, 05 Dec, 2025

hacker

Defence Forces take part in world’s biggest cyber exercise

Nato-led operation included simulated cyberattacks on Ireland’s critical national infrastructure

Wed, 03 Dec, 2025

Defence Forces return home

Tears of joy and singing greet Irish peacekeepers returning from Lebanon

More than 300 Irish troops have spent the last six months serving with the UN in southern Lebanon during a tense period for the Middle East

Tue, 25 Nov, 2025

Defence gaps mean sabotage of gas energy supply could be 'crippling' for Ireland

Defence gaps mean sabotage of gas energy supply could be 'crippling' for Ireland

'Ireland needs military assets — sensors, drones, naval patrol ships, and patrol aircraft — and clear and coordinated leadership'

Thu, 20 Nov, 2025

Pre-Deployment Mission Readiness Exercise, 127th Infantry Battalion,

Dorcha Lee: What the end of Unifil means for Lebanon and for Ireland's Defence Forces

As the UN peacekeeping force in Lebanon prepares to wind down, Dorcha Lee examines the prospects for the region — and what the 49-year mission has meant for our Defence Forces

Wed, 12 Nov, 2025

Retired soldier loses appeal after claiming concussion led to sexual assault on colleagues

Retired soldier loses appeal after claiming concussion led to sexual assault on colleagues

Richard Muldarry was convicted of a number of offences following a Court Martial hearing in April 2024

Fri, 07 Nov, 2025

Shoulder patch of a soldier from the Irish Army on camouflaged uniform.

Former army captain who sexually assaulted female soldier loses appeal against dismissal

Ross O'Shea claimed a sexual assault on a female solider was an 'aberration' in an otherwise 'glittering career'

Tue, 04 Nov, 2025

Uisce Éireann to take over wastewater facilities from developers in minister's plan

Uisce Éireann to take over wastewater facilities from developers in minister's plan

Housing minister James Browne has said that he is determined to 'unlock problematic water services infrastructure that is constraining the delivery of homes people need built'

Tue, 04 Nov, 2025

Ireland not using soft EU defence loan fund as markets 'cheaper'

Ireland not using soft EU defence loan fund as markets 'cheaper'

Independent senator said it was 'outrageous; Ireland was not availing of the scheme

Wed, 22 Oct, 2025

Shoulder patch of a soldier from the Irish Army on camouflaged uniform.

Retired Defence Forces members challenge pension cuts after rejoining public service

The Retired Enlisted Members’ Association says pension abatement rules unfairly penalise former Defence Forces personnel rejoining the public service

Tue, 21 Oct, 2025

Irish navy patrols set to increase after years of depleted activity

Irish navy patrols set to increase after years of depleted activity

The Naval Service will carry around 520 patrols this year

Mon, 20 Oct, 2025

Defence Forces charity launches €3.5m housing expansion to support homeless veterans

Defence Forces charity launches €3.5m housing expansion to support homeless veterans

The Defence Forces veterans’ charity aims to raise €500,000 for a major expansion of housing and support services nationwide

Sat, 18 Oct, 2025

‘Ireland is awash with cocaine — we’re losing the battle,’ warns former Navy commander

‘Ireland is awash with cocaine — we’re losing the battle,’ warns former Navy commander

Revenue’s new €9m Customs cutter will patrol Ireland’s southern coast, but experts warn the country is still 'losing the battle' against smugglers

Fri, 17 Oct, 2025

Mercury spill forces closure of Air Corps hangar at Baldonnel airbase

Mercury spill forces closure of Air Corps hangar at Baldonnel airbase

A small mercury spill inside a Baldonnel hangar prompted an immediate safety lockdown and investigation by the Defence Forces

Thu, 16 Oct, 2025

Half of Naval Service officer cadets leave before completing training, conference told

Half of Naval Service officer cadets leave before completing training, conference told

Exodus of cadets a 'huge issue' that 'needs to be rectified immediately', officers' conference told

Wed, 15 Oct, 2025