Department of DefenceGovernment

The Department of Defence (Irish: An Roinn Cosanta) is a department of state of the Government of Ireland responsible for preserving national security, managing the military Defence Forces, and coordinating national emergency planning. Originally established as the Ministry of Defence during the First Dáil in 1919 with Cathal Brugha as its first minister, it was later given statutory recognition under the Ministers and Secretaries Act 1924. Throughout its history, it has overseen Ireland's policy of military neutrality as well as long-standing participation in United Nations peacekeeping missions.