# Minister For Defence

This year

2023

Government announces tribunal of inquiry into how Defence abuse allegations were handled

The Tribunal and oversight body announcement are key recommendations in the Independent Review Group report examining alleged abuse in the Irish military.

6.0k

Jul 12th 2023, 10:33 AM

# Jackboot

Martin to Murphy: 'I shudder to think of the day where you might be in authority'

An Tánaiste criticised Paul Murphy and the opposition for their response to the forum which he called a “sickening form of politics”.

39.9k

Jun 15th 2023, 5:06 PM

# Fitzgerald Report

Report due on study into social media complaints of alleged military sexual misconduct

The Journal has obtained the findings in the report compiled by Ruth FItzgerald – it is due to be published in the coming days.

8.6k

Mar 16th 2023, 6:23 PM

Last year

2022

# Defence spending

Pay increases and funding boost for radar sought as part of €8 billion defence proposals

A decision on the Commission on the Defence Forces will be brought to Cabinet today.

16.4k

Jul 12th 2022, 12:11 AM

All time

# Defence Forces

First female Defence Forces officer achieves rank of Major General

Major-General Maureen O’Brien’s appointment to this rank was described as a “great source of pride for the Defence Forces” by Minister for Defence, Simon Coveney.

33.7k

May 25th 2021, 8:30 PM

# Minister For Defence

Minister Paul Kehoe and his family evacuate home with gardaí after anti-eviction protesters arrived

The minister thanked the gardaí for their assistance in a statement.

88.9k

260

Apr 7th 2019, 4:14 PM

# Abuse

British troops could face charges over Iraq War abuses

An inquiry has heard evidence of at least 1,514 possible victims, 280 of whom are alleged to have been unlawfully killed.

11.2k

Jan 2nd 2016, 1:08 PM

# Defence Forces

Will Ireland have to provide military assistance to France?

France is using The Lisbon treaty’s equivalent of Nato’s ‘an attack on one is an attack on all’ clause.

24.2k

123

Nov 18th 2015, 3:59 PM

# no woman no cry

There are very, very few women in the Irish Army...

And none at all with rank more senior than lieutenant colonel.

28.0k

Jun 21st 2015, 8:45 AM

# modifications

Defences Forces find solution to keep ambulances worth €900k on the road

Smaller crews had difficulty lifting stretchers in and out of the ambulances.

24.4k

Jun 19th 2015, 9:30 PM

# ISAF

Irish troops in Afghanistan are coming home

A decision has yet to be made on any further deployment.

12.7k

Nov 15th 2014, 7:30 AM

# Still in charge

Chief whip gets more powers, but the Taoiseach is still 'in every way' the Defence Minister

Many powers over the day-to-day running of the Defence Minister have been delegated to the government chief whip Paul Kehoe following Cabinet approval today.

7.2k

Jun 24th 2014, 5:38 PM

# Defence Forces

Asbestos found on LÉ Aoife this week should have been removed a decade ago

The ship was taken out of action for a period this week while items were inspected for asbestos.

9.5k

May 16th 2014, 6:30 AM

# Taoiseach

The opposition wants to know how long Enda Kenny will stay as Defence Minister

The Taoiseach has taken over the portfolio on a temporary basis.

14.2k

May 13th 2014, 12:02 AM

# sign up

Want to join the army? Recruitment starts next month

There are currently 264 vacancies in the force to fill, though Minister Shatter said “no specific weaknesses” have been brought to his attention.

37.8k

107

Feb 8th 2014, 12:19 PM

# Golan Heights

Shatter: No indications Irish troops in Syria are a target

The Minister for Defence said we must accept we are putting troops in harm’s way when we deploy them to these types of operations.

7.5k

Dec 15th 2013, 10:20 AM

# Feeling confident?

Fianna Fáil tables Dáil motion of no confidence in Alan Shatter

TDs will debate Fianna Fáil’s motion on Tuesday and Wednesday, with the party saying Shatter’s position is untenable.

8.1k

105

May 24th 2013, 4:40 PM

# Irish Defence Forces

Shatter says Syrian war is making Lebanon ‘increasingly unstable’

The Minister for Defence also revealed that the UN has requested that Irish observers be sent to Syria.

5.4k

May 12th 2013, 7:45 AM

# Posse Comitatus

No, says Alan Shatter: I'm not going to attempt a coup

The dual minister assures that despite commanding both Gardaí and Army, he has “no interest of posing a threat to the State”.

11.8k

Feb 8th 2013, 2:39 PM

# Educate Together

Multi-denominational Educate Together to run secondary schools

Educate Together will be the first new entrant to second level education since the 1930s.

6.2k

Jul 25th 2012, 2:56 PM

# Military Judge

Over 20 court martial cases underway - but no military judge to hear them

The last judge retired in July 2010.

3.1k

Mar 4th 2012, 8:30 AM

# Referendum

Shatter refuses to rule out second Fiscal Treaty referendum if voters say 'no'

Minister for Justice says the Fiscal Compact Treaty is about preventing future governments building debt for future generations.

4.7k

143

Feb 28th 2012, 6:41 PM

# secret service

We could tell you about the Irish Secret Service budget, but then we'd have to kill you

One small part of the Budget hasn’t been touched this year: the secret service is retaining its €1m funding. SO what does it do?

9.1k

Dec 6th 2011, 1:14 PM

# Lebanon

440 Irish troops prepare for peacekeeping deployment to Lebanon

Irish soldiers were first sent to Lebanon in 1978. Last month, Minister Shatter appointed Frank Callanan SC to review information surrounding the deaths of three Irish soldiers there in 1989.

2.1k

May 4th 2011, 3:18 PM

# Tony Killeen

Tony Killeen will not contest general election

Fianna Fáil minister from Clare is the 23rd sitting TD to announce he will not be running in the 2011 election.

1.4k

Jan 6th 2011, 8:40 AM

# Willie O'Dea

Willie O'Dea: I paid "over and above" for libel settlement

Former minister says it’s been a hard six months.

728

Jul 20th 2010, 3:08 PM