Defence

A COMPREHENSIVE SERIES OF ARTICLES ON THIS TOPIC

Irish Government announcement on defence forces funding
Sinn Féin describes plans to amend deployment triple lock as ‘very dangerous’
Under the current system, Ireland cannot deploy any more than 12 Defence Forces peacekeepers overseas without a peacekeeping mission being approved by a vote of the UN Security Council

Wed, 05 Mar, 2025

China Congress
China increases budget for defence spending
China said on Wednesday it will increase its defence budget by 7. 2% this year. The budget was announced at the National People’s Congress, the annual meeting of China’s legislature.

Wed, 05 Mar, 2025

Keir Starmer's tour of the UK
'Ireland needs to boost pitiful levels of defence spending', says DUP leader
Mr Robinson said Ireland had relied on Britain for defence for 'too long', adding that the Irish navy is 'not worth mentioning'

Mon, 03 Mar, 2025

Denmark announces plans to bolster defence spending
Denmark announces plans to bolster defence spending
The Danish government has announced plans to bolster its military by setting up a 50 billion-kroner (£5. 5 billion) fund that it says will raise the country’s defence spending to more than 3% of gross domestic product (GDP) this year and next.

Wed, 19 Feb, 2025

Danish leader seeks support from EU partners over Trump’s Greenland threats
Danish leader seeks support from EU partners over Trump’s Greenland threats
Denmark’s Prime Minister has insisted Greenland is not for sale and called for a robust response from her European Union partners should US President Donald Trump press ahead with his threat to take control of the island.

Mon, 03 Feb, 2025

Poland to increase defence spending in 2025 to record high
Poland to increase defence spending in 2025 to record high
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has said the 2025 state budget will include record-high spending on defence. Mr Tusk presented the main points of next year’s budget, which he described as “generous” and supporting further economic growth.

Wed, 28 Aug, 2024

Reserve Defence Forces Regeneration and Development Plan
Micheál Martin encourages employers to support Defence Forces reserves
The Tánaiste said revitalising the reserves was 'a vital part' of the transformation of the Defence Forces

Wed, 24 Jul, 2024

Council of State meets to discuss constitutionality of Defence Bill
President signs Government’s Defence Bill into law
A spokesman for the president said having given “careful consideration” to all constitutional and other aspects of the Defence Bill, Mr Higgins signed it into law

Wed, 17 Jul, 2024

New Taoiseach appointed
Council of State meets to discuss constitutionality of Defence Bill
The meeting of the Council of State took place in Áras an Uachtaráin to examine legislation to regulate Defence Forces’ representative associations

Mon, 15 Jul, 2024

Germany Russia Ukraine War Gas
Security experts welcome Dáil vote for Irish military involvement in EU seabed protection
2022 Nord Stream pipeline attacks and recent Russian exercises off Ireland's south coast cited as Critical Seabed Infrastructure Protection project sees EU states co-operate to protect infrastructure such as data cables

Fri, 05 Jul, 2024

Ireland cabinet meeting
Harris expressed frustration with Defence Forces controversy
It comes after earlier this week Simon Harris stated that information on how many serving members had criminal convictions was not immediately available to him

Sun, 30 Jun, 2024

Marine Le Pen questions French president’s role as army chief ahead of elections
Marine Le Pen questions French president’s role as army chief ahead of elections
With just three days to go until France’s landmark legislative elections, the country’s far-right leader on Thursday raised the question of who would be in charge of the military if her party takes over the government after the two-round balloting.

Thu, 27 Jun, 2024

'Your chance to be heard': People urged to engage with Defence Forces tribunal
'Your chance to be heard': People urged to engage with Defence Forces tribunal
The inquiry will examine the effectiveness of the complaints processes in the Defence Forces concerning workplace issues dating as far back as 1983 and stretching into other jurisdictions

Mon, 24 Jun, 2024

Irish navy is now at two thirds of its full strength 
Irish navy is now at two thirds of its full strength 
Naval Service should have a minimum of 1,094 personnel but Department of Defence has confirmed it only has 718 whole-time equivalents

Sun, 23 Jun, 2024

Australia’s military to recruit non-citizens in bid to boost troop numbers
Australia’s military to recruit non-citizens in bid to boost troop numbers
The Australian military will begin recruiting some non-citizens in a bid to boost troop numbers, the country’s government has said.

Tue, 04 Jun, 2024

2014 MTV Video Music Awards - Press Room - California
US country singer Kirstie Kraus defends Beyonce moving into country space
American country singer Kirstie Kraus has defended Beyonce moving into the country space, saying “why give anyone backlash for putting out music that they want to”.

Fri, 29 Mar, 2024

National Risk Assessment for Ireland
Medicine-resistant infections the biggest risk facing Ireland, experts warn
The next biggest threats are a pandemic, cyber attacks and disruption to critical supply chains, according to Ireland’s National Risk Assessment

Thu, 28 Mar, 2024

EU chief urges defence industry strategy focused on locally made arms
EU chief urges defence industry strategy focused on locally made arms
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has called for a new defence industry strategy to respond to security challenges posed by Russia’s war on Ukraine with the purchase of weapons and ammunition made in Europe at its heart.

Wed, 28 Feb, 2024

Seán O'Riordan: Defence Forces may be on the brink of resolving its recruitment crisis 
Seán O'Riordan: Defence Forces may be on the brink of resolving its recruitment crisis 
Ireland’s armed forces have been hamstrung by a shortage of staff but a big increase in salaries —along with subsidies on food and accommodation which cost recruits only €44 a week — is boosting recruitment

Wed, 10 Jan, 2024

Criminal Courts of Justice
Hatchet murderer who beat dog breeder to death in row over pups appeals conviction 
Lawyers for the convicted man claim the trial judge erred in respect of the defence of provocation and of self-defence

Wed, 29 Nov, 2023

Micheal Martin visit to the Middle East
Women of Honour group urges Martin to withdraw ‘slips, trips and falls’ comment
The tribunal of inquiry will examine the effectiveness of the complaints processes in the Defence Forces in respect of workplace incidents relating to discrimination, bullying, harassment, sexual assault and rape

Mon, 06 Nov, 2023

Joe and Helen O'Toole Community Nursing Unit in Tuam opening
Israeli government refused to permit Tánaiste visit Gaza or Israeli-controlled areas of the West Bank during recent visit 
Micheál Martin visited Israel, the West Bank and Jordan last month

Tue, 17 Oct, 2023

Cocaine in plastic packet on black background
15 Defence Forces members dismissed or facing dismissal after positive drug tests
Defence Forces conducted 1,015 individual drugs tests in 2022 resulting in 17 positives

Fri, 01 Sep, 2023

A tenth of frontline soldiers left their jobs in the last 12 months
A tenth of frontline soldiers left their jobs in the last 12 months
As the navy is reduced to just two ships due to lack of staff, new figures confirm the army lost 627 staff in a year — and only has 49 recruits in training

Tue, 29 Aug, 2023

Soldier says workplace row led to threats from Kinahan gang member
Soldier says workplace row led to threats from Kinahan gang member
Army private made protected disclosure to Department of Defence saying workplace issues escalated into threats

Sat, 19 Aug, 2023

Cyber Technology Security Protection Screen, Advanced Cloud Data Security System, Futuristic Technology Background, 3d Rendering
S Government urged to set up single intelligence agency after 'failure'
Government urged to put in place an intelligence agency separate from An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces

Fri, 11 Aug, 2023

Young woman freelancer using laptop working online making notes
Letters to the Editor: Navigating modern-day recruitment as a young worker
One reader reflects on the challenge of securing a job, while others consider climate change and Ireland's defence policy

Tue, 08 Aug, 2023

Ukraine war spurred Nato to revamp its defence plans against Russian attack
Ukraine war spurred Nato to revamp its defence plans against Russian attack
Nato leaders, including US president Joe Biden, have endorsed a shakeup of the organisation’s response to an attack on its territory by Russia, the biggest since the Cold War.

Tue, 11 Jul, 2023

Defence Forces inquiry
Women of Honour: Talks on Defence Forces inquiry terms of reference continue
The Women of Honour group said the Tánaiste will not be including terms of reference when he brings the inquiry to Cabinet 'unless they have been approved by us'

Fri, 07 Jul, 2023

Women of Honour says tribunal is ‘pointless’ without expanded terms of reference
Women of Honour says tribunal is ‘pointless’ without expanded terms of reference
The support group for former and current female Defence Force members who allege they were abused in the military has been calling for a tribunal of inquiry

Thu, 06 Jul, 2023

British troops in Basra
Inquiry into Defence Forces abuse allegations set to be carried out in public
Micheál Martin said the investigation should take the form of a tribunal of inquiry with public hearings, rather than a behind-closed-doors commission of inquiry

Thu, 06 Jul, 2023

Consultative Forum on International Security Policy
Elaine Loughlin: International security is something Ireland needs to discuss
Micheál Martin tells Consultative Forum on International Security Policy that Ireland should not be 'squeamish' about security co-operation given existing threats such as cybercrime

Thu, 22 Jun, 2023

Letters to the Editor: Jennifer Horgan highlights the antisocial aspect of social media
Letters to the Editor: Jennifer Horgan highlights the antisocial aspect of social media
'Irish Examiner' columnist Jennifer Horgan struck a chord with readers in her piece about loneliness, while other readers consider issues including neutrality, defence, and public health

Wed, 21 Jun, 2023

European ministers stage air defence conference
European ministers stage air defence conference
Defence ministers and other representatives of 20 European countries are holding a conference in Paris on how to better defend Europe’s air space – a divisive issue given fresh urgency because of Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Mon, 19 Jun, 2023

Arbour Hill Commemoration Ceremony
Tánaiste claims it would be a 'mistake' for Ireland not to re-examine defence policies
Micheál Martin's comments come after Michael D Higgins said Ireland is 'playing with fire' in a 'drift' of its foreign polict

Sun, 18 Jun, 2023

Spike in complaints by Defence Forces members to Ombudsman
Spike in complaints by Defence Forces members to Ombudsman
Most of the complaints relate to promotion competitions, the Ombudsman noted

Sat, 17 Jun, 2023

Irish Naval Service ship bound for Mediterranean on mission to prevent weapons trafficking
Irish Naval Service ship bound for Mediterranean on mission to prevent weapons trafficking
The LÉ William Butler Yeats will head for the Libyan coast on Thursday on the Naval Service's first overseas mission since 2018

Tue, 13 Jun, 2023

National Television Awards 2022 - London
This Morning stars defend show as ‘happy people in a happy place’ amid Phillip Schofield exit
Dermot O’Leary and Alison Hammond continued to fill in as hosts on Monday after the bombshell exit of Phillip Schofield last weekend.

Mon, 29 May, 2023

Ireland must 'pull its weight' on increasing defence, says French Ambassador
Ireland must 'pull its weight' on increasing defence, says French Ambassador
Amid debate on Nato membership, the ambassador says it is 'appropriate though costly' for EU states to up defence capability

Mon, 15 May, 2023

Is Ireland in danger of becoming a de facto British protectorate?
Is Ireland in danger of becoming a de facto British protectorate?
Deals with the British and EU to protect our seaboard mean we are no longer truly neutral, but we can’t fight for ourselves either, writes Defence Correspondent Sean O’Riordan

Mon, 08 May, 2023

File Photo Fianna F‡il is warning that numbers in the Defence forces have hits a Ònew low.ÓAt the end of May, there were only 8,
Defence Forces 'needs at least 4,000 more personnel to be able to operate effectively'
Figures released to the 'Irish Examiner' reveal the extent to which the Army, Naval Service, and Air Corps are all under strength

Mon, 24 Apr, 2023

Anthony Albanese
Australia looks at defence overhaul amid Chinese growth
The Defence Strategic Review supports the Aukus partnership with the United States and Britain

Mon, 24 Apr, 2023

Lack of able seamen has resulted in entire naval fleet being tied up
Lack of able seamen has resulted in entire naval fleet being tied up
One Defence Forces source said: 'The two Ks must be laughing at us, that’s the Kremlin and the Kinahans.'

Wed, 05 Apr, 2023

Chief of staff says he had been unaware of abuse and bullying in the Defence Forces
Chief of staff says he had been unaware of abuse and bullying in the Defence Forces
Army whistleblower Senator Tom Clonan says Seán Clancy should come before the Oireachtas to explain his remarks

Thu, 30 Mar, 2023

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