Formation 22 January 1919 | Website www.defence.ie | |
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Appointer President of Ireland on the nomination of the Taoiseach Inaugural holder General Richard Mulcahy | ||
The Minister for Defence (Irish: An tAire Cosanta) is the senior minister at the Department of Defence in the Government of Ireland. The current Minister for Defence is Enda Kenny, 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.
The Minister for Defence is assisted by the junior Minister of State at the Department of Defence, who is currently Paul Kehoe.