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An Roinn Cosanta | Department of Defence
@irldeptdefence.bsky.social
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The official account of the Department of Defence, Ireland.

See https://defence.ie

Department of Defence | Government of Ireland
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Tá a ról féin ag gach duine le cinntiú go mbeidh muid ullamh dá bhfuil amach romhainn.

Tuilleadh eolais: https://www.gov.ie/ga/an-oifig-plean%C3%A1la-%C3%A9igeand%C3%A1la/feachtais/b%C3%AD-ullamh-d%C3%A9igeand%C3%A1il/

#BeEmergencyReady
September 21, 2026 at 2:43 PM
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Minister Helen McEntee has announced that an Acquisition Order has been signed with France for five deployable Thales long-range radar systems.

More info: https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-defence/press-releases/minister-mcentee-announces-next-step-towards-delivery-of-military-radar-programme/
September 18, 2026 at 9:29 AM
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We can all play our part in making sure we are ready for whatever comes our way.
Find out more at gov.ie/BeEmergencyReady

#BeEmergencyReady
September 17, 2026 at 3:07 PM
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Could you make a difference in your community?

A new Civil Defence campaign across Kildare, Kerry, Cork, Limerick and Carlow is showcasing the many ways volunteers support local communities, highlighting the rewarding opportunities available.

Find out more here: www.civildefence.ie/join
September 8, 2026 at 10:45 AM
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Minister @HMcEntee today officially reopened Áras an tSáile, Renmore, Co. Galway, following an €11.5 million energy retrofit investment.
The Minister for Defence, Helen McEntee TD, marked the reopening of Áras an tSáile in Renmore, Co. Galway, following the completion of a major €11.467 million energy retrofit project. Photo shows the building on 24 August 2026. The Minister for Defence, Helen McEntee TD, marked the reopening of Áras an tSáile in Renmore, Co. Galway, following the completion of a major €11.467 million energy retrofit project. Photo shows the building on 24 August 2026. The Minister for Defence, Helen McEntee TD, marked the reopening of Áras an tSáile in Renmore, Co. Galway, following the completion of a major €11.467 million energy retrofit project. Photo shows the building on 24 August 2026.
August 24, 2026 at 3:51 PM
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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/
July 17, 2026 at 8:30 AM
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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/
The Department of Defence and Defence Forces Strategy Statement 2026-2029 Cover
July 16, 2026 at 1:20 PM
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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/
July 15, 2026 at 2:13 PM
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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
July 14, 2026 at 4:31 PM
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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.
The image contains text from Ireland's Department of Defence. It expresses sympathy to the family of David Andrews, noting his service as Minister for Defence from January 1993 to December 1994 and June 1997 to October 1997. The text concludes with: "Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis."
July 1, 2026 at 11:03 AM
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🌈 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.
Members of the Civil Defence attending the Dublin Pride parade alongside Department of Defence Secretary General Jacqui McCrum. Civil servants attending the Dublin Pride Parade on O'Connell Street alongside Minister Helen McEntee, Minister Jack Chambers and Tánaiste Simon Harris. Civil servants attending the Dublin Pride Parade on O'Connell Street alongside Minister Jack Chambers. Secretary General Jacqui McCrum attending the Dublin Pride Parade.
June 27, 2026 at 1:24 PM
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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
June 25, 2026 at 9:06 AM
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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

June 9, 2026 at 12:00 PM
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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
June 3, 2026 at 2:55 PM
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Our statement on the UN mandates and the current status
Since 2020, the Irish Defence Forces have participated in EUNAVFOR MED IRINI, a UN-mandated EU Naval Operation, which operates in accordance with relevant UNSC Resolutions (UNSCR), in particular UNSCR 2292 (2016). Regrettably, this mandate expired on 24 May 2026. It is important to note that for the Defence Forces to participate in any international force, it is necessary to have a UN mandate underpinning that force. EUNAVFOR MED IRINI is such an international force and the participation of the Defence Forces, regardless of the number of personnel deployed to the mission, requires a UN mandate. The EU Council Decision authorising the Mission had as its primary mandate UNSCR 2292. A subsequent Government Decision, another legal requirement under Defence legislation, provided Government authorisation for Defence Forces personnel to participate in the Operation. As the UNSCR 2292 mandate has now lapsed, the Government Decision has been effectively voided. As such, there is, unfortunately, no legal basis for the Defence Forces’ continued participation in the mission. A number of references have been made to the numbers deployed to Operation IRINI being fewer than twelve. That figure is relevant only in the context of triggering the need for the approval of Dáil Eireann for the deployment of Defence Force personnel and is not applicable in this case.
May 30, 2026 at 10:00 AM
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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
May 29, 2026 at 2:12 PM
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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
May 27, 2026 at 8:07 AM
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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
May 14, 2026 at 1:57 PM
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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
April 30, 2026 at 3:50 PM
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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.
April 29, 2026 at 4:38 PM
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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
April 28, 2026 at 3:08 PM
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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
April 28, 2026 at 2:35 PM
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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
April 28, 2026 at 8:01 AM
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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 addressing the Valentia Island Subsea Cable Security and Resilience Symposium. Minister Helen McEntee at the Valentia Island Subsea Cable Security and Resilience Symposium. Minister Helen McEntee at the Valentia Island Subsea Cable Security and Resilience Symposium.
April 23, 2026 at 12:10 PM
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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/
A group of uniformed cadets stands in formation during the 101st Army Cadet Class Commissioning Ceremony. Minister McEntee walks alongside the cadets. The lower portion of the image includes text that reads: 101st Army Cadet Class Commissioning Ceremony.
April 9, 2026 at 2:44 PM