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Thirty Irish peacekeepers are stationed at UNP-652 on the Lebanon-Israel border.

Watch: Life at a UN outpost on the Lebanon-Israel border

What's life like for Irish soldiers based at a remote outpost on one of the most volatile frontiers in the Middle East?

Irish peacekeepers in Lebanon say they are taking precautions to protect themselves

Irish peacekeepers observe Israel use white phosphorus

Civic leaders in southern Lebanon have raised fears for the safety of civilians due to the use by Israel of the chemical weapon white phosphorus along the border between Israel and Lebanon.

Middle East • 29 Feb 24

A Mowag armoured personnel carrier at Camp Shamrock in Lebanon

Watch: On patrol with Irish peacekeepers in Lebanon

What is it like to drive one of the armoured personnel carriers used by Irish peacekeepers in Lebanon?

Middle East • 29 Feb 24

Any changes must complement the uniform, the officer tasking with reviewing grooming standards said (Pic: RollingNews.ie)

Hair, beard rule changes for Defence Force members

Female members of the Defence Forces will be allowed to wear nail varnish and fake tan and have up to six different hair styles under new rules to come into effect tomorrow.

Ireland • 31 Jan 24

Watch: What is Ireland's Triple Lock mechanism

The phrase 'triple lock' refers to the three steps that have to be taken before more than 12 members of the Defence Forces can be sent abroad on any mission.

Ireland • 23 Nov 23

LÉ Samuel Beckett has been deployed on humanitarian missions in the Mediterranean (file pic)

Offshore allowance to double after ten days at sea

The Government has announced that an allowance paid to Naval Service personnel for time spent offshore is to be doubled after ten days at sea.

Ireland • 15 Nov 23

RACO wants the Working Time Directive to be implemented, which would stop defence personnel from working more than an average of 48 hours per week

Calls for Government to reform rights of Defence Forces

Commissioned Officers in the Defence Forces have called on the Government to reform the rights of their members to "turn the tide on force attrition".

Ireland • 15 Nov 23

ePower's Director Founder Hugh Hall with Comdt Eoghan Carton at the installation of EV charge points at five Defence Force bases

ePower chargers installed at 5 Defence Force bases

Irish electric vehicle charging company ePower said it has completed the initial phase of supplying and servicing EV charge points at five Defence Force bases around the country.

Business • 14 Nov 23

123rd Infantry Battalion prepares for deployment to south Lebanon

Irish battalion trains for UNIFIL deployment to Lebanon

Three javelin weapons have been fired in the Glen of Imaal in Co Wicklow, as the 123rd Infantry Battalion prepares for deployment to south Lebanon next month as part of the UNIFIL forces there.

Leinster • 19 Oct 23

The committee was told of an 'impending epidemic' of members leaving the defence forces

Defence forces facing 'retention catastrophe' - RACO

Senior members of the navy and army have warned that the defences forces are caught in the grip of "catastrophe" when it comes to retaining staff.

Politics • 03 Oct 23

Troops prepare for final Irish Golan Heights mission

A total of 133 Irish troops are undergoing intensive training in Co Wicklow ahead of their deployment to the Golan Heights later this year.

Ireland • 31 Aug 23

Leo Varadkar said 3,500 women needed to be recruited to fully complement the Defence Forces (file pic)

Recruiting women a 'core problem' for Defence Forces

The Taoiseach has described difficulties in recruiting women to the Defence Forces as a "core" problem for staffing in the organisation.

Ireland • 04 Aug 23

The move follows a recommendation of an inquiry which examined behaviours in the Defence Forces (File image)

Tánaiste to update Cabinet on Defence Forces inquiry

Tánaiste Micheál Martin is expected to update the Cabinet on his intention to launch a public inquiry into systemic failings in the Defence Forces, which were highlighted by the Women of Honour group.

Politics • 11 Jul 23

The claims by the Women of Honour involve emotional abuse, physical torture, bullying and sexual misconduct in the Defence Forces

Tribunal planned into Women of Honour allegations

The Tánaiste has indicated that he plans to recommend a public Tribunal of Inquiry to investigate allegations in the Defence Forces highlighted by the Women of Honour group.

Ireland • 06 Jul 23

Deployments are subject to renewal by the UN, but no Dáil approval is required in relation to renewal of these Defence Forces missions (File pic: RollingNews.ie)

Approval sought for renewal of Defence Forces missions

Tánaiste Micheál Martin will seek Cabinet approval later today for the continued Defence Forces participation in two overseas missions.

Politics • 13 Jun 23

From left, Roslyn O'Callaghan, Yvonne O'Rourke, Honor Murphy and Diane Byrne, ahead of their meeting with Taoiseach and the Tanaiste (RollingNews.ie)

Govt 'not on same page' about inquiry - Women of Honour

The Women of Honour Group has said they and the Government are not on the same page yet about what form an inquiry into abuse in the Defence Forces would take.

Ireland • 12 Jun 23

The group has today published its terms of reference for an inquiry which would allow the victims of abuse to recount the ordeal and make submissions to a tribunal (file image)

Women of Honour call for urgent tribunal establishment

The Women of Honour group has called for the urgent establishment of a Tribunal of Inquiry into allegations of emotional abuse, physical torture, bullying and sexual misconduct in the Defence Forces.

Ireland • 11 Jun 23

The annual Chiefs of European Navies (CHENS) meeting is described by the Defence Forces as an 'informal, independent and non-political forum' (file image)

EU and NATO naval chiefs to meet in Cork

European and NATO naval chiefs are set to gather in Cork over the next two days to discuss the use of emergent and disruptive technologies including Ireland's Guard Project.

Defence Forces • 16 May 23

The policy proposals will lead to high level structural changes in the Defence Forces (File: RollingNews.ie)

Cabinet approves plans for changes in Defence Forces

The Cabinet has given the green light for the preparation of policy proposals which will lead to high level structural changes in the Defence Forces, including the creation of a post of the Chief of Defence.

Politics • 16 May 23

The latest data shows 7,349 homes were commenced in the first three months of 2023 (Pic: RollingNews)

Best first quarter for housing commencements since 2014

Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien will update the Cabinet later today on residential construction activity. The latest data shows 7,349 homes were commenced in the first three months of 2023 - the highest first quarter since records began in 2014.

Politics • 16 May 23

Mr Martin said that there was no question that there were limitations on Ireland's military capacity and that the Government's focus was on improving that over time

Ireland 'not relying on anybody to patrol our airspace'

Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Micheál Martin has said that Ireland "is not relying on anybody to patrol our airspace".

Defence Forces • 09 May 23

Micheál Martin said it was absurd to assume that we cannot question any of its policies

Role of Defence Forces 'at a crossroads' - Tánaiste

Tánaiste Micheál Martin has said Ireland stands at a crossroads in terms of the role of the Defence Forces.

Ireland • 21 Apr 23

Representatives of the group met with Drew Harris at Garda Headquarters in the Phoenix Park in Dublin

Women of Honour hold 'constructive' meeting with Harris

The Women of Honour group has said it has held a "very frank" and "very constructive" meeting with the Garda Commissioner on the criminal investigation into allegations of sexual abuse within the Defence Forces.

Defence Forces • 17 Apr 23

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has encouraged victims to come forward (File image: RollingNews.ie)

Garda inquiry into 'predators' in Defence Forces

A criminal investigation into allegations of sexual abuse within the Defence Forces has been announced by the Garda Commissioner.

Ireland • 05 Apr 23

President Michael D Higgins is Supreme Commander of the Defence Forces

President speaks of hurt over Defence Forces review

President Michael D Higgins has spoken of his hurt and shame at reading the independent review into abuse within the Defence Forces, which was published earlier this week.

Ireland • 31 Mar 23