Irish Defence Forces
The armed forces of Ireland, known as the Defence Forces (Irish: Óglaigh na hÉireann) encompass the Army, Naval Service, Air Corps and Reserve Defence Force.
The current Supreme Commander of the Defence Forces is Michael D Higgins, in his role as President of Ireland. All Defence Forces officers hold their commission from the President, but in practice the Minister for Defence acts on the President's behalf and reports to the Government of Ireland. The Minister for Defence is advised by the Council of Defence on the business of the Department of Defence.
Read more about Irish Defence Forces: Role, History, Organisation, Representative Associations, Bases
Famous quotes containing the words irish, defence and/or forces:
“Irishness is not primarily a question of birth or blood or language; it is the condition of being involved in the Irish situation, and usually of being mauled by it.”
—Conor Cruise O’Brien (b. 1917)
“He that rebels against reason is a real rebel, but he that in defence of reason rebels against tyranny has a better title to “Defender of the Faith,” than George the Third.”
—Thomas Paine (1737–1809)
“The next thing his Lordship does, after clearing of the coast, is the dividing of his forces, as he calls them, into two squadrons, one of places of Scriptures, the other of reasons....
All that I have to say touching this, is that I observe a great part of those his forces do look and march another way, and some of them fight amongst themselves.”
—Thomas Hobbes (1579–1688)