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
Department of Defence
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
Defence Forces still struggling to convince troops to volunteer for Battlegroup duty
Department of Defence has agreed to pay some allowances but frustrations continue
‘Mass influx’ of refugees due to European war seen as potential risk to Ireland
National Risk Assessment also identifies possible threats from sabotage of undersea pipelines, terrorism and disease
Government spends nearly €460,000 hiring private jets for overseas travel in nine months
Hiring private jet for Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s overseas travel cost €300,000 over nine months
Ireland spends €8.5m on Israeli surveillance drones and military equipment
Much of the money has gone to Aeronautics Defence Industries which is owned by the Israeli state and manufactures lethal drones used in Gaza
Military representatives worry new Bill will prevent them criticising Government policy on recruitment
Defence (Amendment) Bill would ban representatives from publicly commenting on the merits of a minister’s policy
Tánaiste orders generals to increase Defence Forces recruitment targets for 2024
Military management has briefed Government an estimated 540 will join this year, far lower than required
New Naval Service flagship to cost estimated €300 million
‘Multi-role vessel’ will have helicopter pad and ability to transport troops and vehicles overseas at short notice
Irish neutrality has changed but it is too early to consider it dead and buried
Nature of neutrality has evolved significantly since 2022 Ukraine invasion with the process of change appearing to accelerate last year
Ireland to set up network of defence attaches in overseas embassies
Unlike many nations, Ireland currently has no defence attaches stationed abroad to represent the country on military issues
Defence officials recommended scrapping LÉ Eithne to avoid repeat of ‘LÉ Aisling situation’ involving warlord
Advice came amid fears of repeat of ‘LÉ Aisling situation’, when an ex-Naval Service ship ended up in the hands of a Libyan warlord, documents indicate
Army’s elite special forces unit to be overhauled in major revamp
Secretive Army Ranger Wing is getting a new name, more personnel and a revamped command structure
Removing Triple Lock ‘would be vindication of Irish sovereignty’
Triple Lock gives ‘great powers’ a veto over where State deploys peacekeeping troops, says Varadkar
Extra payments for troops taking part in EU Battlegroup expected to be announced
About 35 Defence Forces personnel have volunteered so far, less than 20 per cent of what is required
Ireland voices concern over release on bail of sole suspect in killing of Pte Seán Rooney in Lebanon
Mohammad Ayyad is charged with multiple offences relating to the lethal attack on a convoy of Irish peacekeepers
Defence budget promises extra €55m but leaves military representatives unimpressed
New capital expenditure will be used to develop primary radar system but does little to stem exodus of personnel says officers’ association
As Ireland seeks to upgrade its military, arms manufacturers take interest
Defence companies see opportunities in Government’s plan to increase spending
Arms firms including makers of fighter jets and white phosphorous step up lobbying in Ireland
Proposals, brochures and advertising sent to Department of Defence include information on fighter jets, missile systems and white phosphorus, a munition restricted under international law
Defence Forces aims for almost one in ten female recruits in 2023, says chief-of-staff
Lieut Gen Seán Clancy and Department of Defence secretary general tell Oireachtas committee of plans for cultural transformation of Defence Forces
Murderer of Irish peacekeepers reportedly released after 8½ years in prison
Department of Defence is attempting to confirm reports Mahmoud Bazzi was released last month in Lebanon
One woman recruited to Defence Forces out of 617 applicants amid psychometric test concerns
Psychometric testing for Naval Service paused amid concern about failure rate
Government departments hold pronouns workshops to support colleagues’ gender identity
Seminar provided ‘judgement-free space’ to ask questions about evolving terminology
Politicians know it’s getting hotter, wetter and wilder. Why aren’t they preparing?
It’s not that the Government must do better so much as they need to get off their backsides
Defence Forces doctor told she must pay almost €90,000 to resign
Dispute will put doctors off military service at a time when they are urgently needed, says Senator
US Navy ship off Cork shows Irish waters of interest to all military powers, says Senator
US Naval ship operating in Irish-controlled waters in recent months with transmitter turned off
Future of Ireland’s air defences up in the air
In two years, Air Corps PC-9s will reach end of 20-year service life, presenting military planners with two options: maintain status quo or buy modern combat aircraft
More than half of Defence Forces family accommodation is unoccupied
Defence Forces representatives have criticised the ‘managed decline’ of military accommodation
Ex-Defence Forces ombudsman feels ‘awful’ abuse victims did not feel free to come to her
Paulyn Marrinan Quinn urges victims ‘don’t suffer in silence’ and come forward in the wake of the review group report
Sinn Féin seeks more information on defence agreements with RAF
Tánaiste defends arrangements with British air force to protect Irish airspace
Homeless soldier with infant child denied military accommodation
Department of Defence says ‘provision of residential accommodation not provided to members of Defence Forces’
Lieut Gen Seán Clancy: Our people feel shame and anger. The Defence Forces must change
Chief of Staff on a 'watershed moment' and the transformation needed to build a Defence Forces of which Ireland can continue to be proud
Any review of misconduct in Defence Forces must include department and Minister
The military does not make its own rules: responsibility for oversight lies with the Government
Plans to spend over €3.2m on renting private jets for Government officials
Two jets to be leased to fill gap caused by ongoing mechanical issues with Air Corps Learjet
Women of Honour: We need a statutory inquiry like no other
It has to bring about the much-needed change and transformation that is required by the Department of Defence in its entirety
Ireland stepping up international cooperation to counter hybrid threats
Irish naval team currently taking part in counter-mine exercise in Greece following invite from Greek Navy
Defence Forces not justified in discriminating against atheist for ‘sensitive’ military chaplain role
Department of Defence argued humanist chaplain could undo years of work by army chaplains with religious fundamentalists in Lebanon
Ireland takes formal possession of Naval Service vessels from New Zealand
Vessels bought with aim of enhancing patrol capabilities on the east coast
Ireland ‘interested’ in joining Nato undersea security cell, says senior alliance figure
Security of undersea infrastructure a ‘real point of concern’, says Nato’s deputy secretary-general
Government split over airport drone problem
Officials unable to decide which department should take charge of issue that has affected thousands of travellers
Refugees to be housed at Mullingar barracks, department confirms
Decision to house 120 international protection applicants at Columb Barracks prompts local concerns
Delay sending Irish special forces to Kyiv to protect Irish Ambassador
Legislation being drafted to permit deployment of Army Ranger Wing to ensure safety of Irish people in overseas situations
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