Minister for Defence (Ireland)

The Minister for Defence (An tAire Cosanta) is the senior minister at the Department of Defence in the Government of Ireland. The current Minister for Defence is Leo Varadkar, TD.



The Department is responsible for the Irish Defence Forces. The Ministers and Secretaries Act 1924 assigned the minister the additional title of Commander-in-Chief as the Chairman of the Council of Defence. The Defence Act 1954 removed this title, as a result of the reconstitution of the Council of Defence. The President of Ireland, a largely ceremonial role, is considered the Supreme Commander of the Defence Forces. In practice, the Minister acts on the President's behalf and reports to the Irish Government. The Minister for Defence is advised by the Council of Defence on the business of the Department of Defence.

Since 1978, the Minister for Defence has been assisted by the junior ministerial role of Minister of State at the Department of Defence; a post currently filled by Paul Kehoe.

Ministers for Defence since 1919
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