Government urged to create dedicated Defence Minister post

Independent TD Cathal Berry said Ireland had two education ministers and two finance ministers but no defence minister

The Samuel Beckett docked at the naval base in Haulbowline. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

The chairman of the Oireachtas Defence Committee has urged his Government colleagues to establish a dedicated Minister of Defence to drive investment into and reform of the Defence Forces, saying the current process is “too slow”.

The call from FG Laois Offaly TD Charlie Flanagan - who has previously served as minister for justice and minister for foreign affairs – was backed by former Army Ranger and Kildare independent TD Cathal Berry, who said Ireland had two education ministers and two finance ministers but no defence minister.