Helen McEntee TD

Minister for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Minister for Defence, Deputy Leader of @FineGael, Meath East TD.

[United Nations Geneva @UNGeneva]

More than 300 military and police officers from Ireland are serving for peace in four @UNPeacekeeping missions around the world — leaving their families behind to protect the most vulnerable.

We thank these brave women and men for their service and sacrifice.

[Óglaigh na hÉireann @defenceforces]

The Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy, recently accompanied the Minister for Defence, Ms Helen McEntee T.D. in a visit to UNIFIL and UNP 2-45.

During their visit, the Chief and Minister met with personnel of the 128th Infantry Battalion, partook in a ceremony remembering those who gave their lives in the service of peace and culminated in the medal ceremony.

The Chief and Minister expressed their sincere gratitude to the personnel of the 128th Infantry Battalion for their service on Peace Support Operations, continuing the long legacy of Peace Enforcement and Peace Keeping deployments for the Army and wider Óglaigh na hÉireann, as well as partaking in the penultimate deployment to UNIFIL.

#defendourstate #irishdefenceforces #oglaighnaheireann

[Helen McEntee TD @HMcEntee]

Ireland will continue to work with European partners to ensure that the people of Gaza receive the urgent humanitarian assistance they need.

[Helen McEntee TD @HMcEntee]

Statement:

I am deeply concerned about reports emerging from Gaza following the devastating flooding over the weekend.

[Helen McEntee TD @HMcEntee]

This crisis needs a diplomatic and political solution and I will continue to raise this deteriorating situation with my EU colleagues ahead of the European Political Community meeting this week in Dublin, and at the Foreign Affairs Council early next week.

[Helen McEntee TD @HMcEntee]

Shocked by news of a drive-by shooting this afternoon in central Krakow. My thoughts are with the loved ones of the victims & all who were injured. Our Embassy in Warsaw is monitoring the situation. Any Irish citizens in the area should follow the directions of local authorities.

[Óglaigh na hÉireann @defenceforces]

Yesterday, Minister for Defence, Helen McEntee TD, accompanied by Irish Defence Forces Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy, reviewed the 69th Infantry Group at Aiken Barracks, Dundalk.

The 69th Infantry Group, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Cormac Brady, will deploy to Lebanon later this month as the final Irish contingent to serve with UNIFIL.

#ÓglaighnahÉireann #DefendOurState

[Department of Defence @IRLDeptDefence]

The Minister for Defence, @HMcEntee today officially opened the new @naval_service HQ Offices, Naval Base, Haulbowline Co. Cork.

https://t.co/YrcerpsH5s

[Department of Defence @IRLDeptDefence]

Minister for Defence, @HMcEntee reviewed the @defenceforces 69th Infantry Group at Aiken Barracks, Dundalk, ahead of its deployment to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

https://t.co/ToJHxaeP1C

[Fine Gael @FineGael]

False narratives about Triple Lock reform are inaccurate and irresponsible.

We face a choice: do nothing and let the UN Security Council decide where Irish troops are deployed, or reform the Triple Lock so Ireland can choose missions aligned with our values.

[Helen McEntee TD @HMcEntee]

Important meeting today with UN Special Rapporteur @FranceskAlbs. Ireland will not forget about Palestine and will continue to stand up for the UN, its representatives, and international law.

[Helen McEntee TD @HMcEntee]

I have asked that flags be flown at half-mast over the Department of Foreign Affairs tomorrow, as a former Minister in our Department, Gerard Collins, is laid to rest. My thoughts are with Gerard’s wife, Hilary, his family and his many friends.

[Helen McEntee TD @HMcEntee]

I am appalled by yesterday’s attack in Zaporizhzhia in Ukraine, resulting in the deaths of 29 civilians. Attacks against civilian infrastructure, including schools being used for the distribution of humanitarian aid, and shelters, are grave violations of international law.

[Óglaigh na hÉireann @defenceforces]

Using the extensive experience the Army has gained from previous Peace Enforcement and Peace Keeping deployments, over the course of Óglaigh na hÉireann's history, Mission Readiness Exercises (MRE) are developed to ensure that Units preparing for overseas are exercised on the many eventualities that they may face in theatre. An MRE is conducted prior to any deployment on Peace Support Operations (PSO).

The lessons learnt from previous PSO deployments with the UN, NATO and the EU create the framework for the MREs for our Army personnel to be tested on. Previous Peace Enforcement missions such as EUFOR Chad/CAR, ISAF Afghanistan and MONUSCO (DRC) or Peace Keeping missions such as UNDOF (Syria) and the ongoing UNIFIL (Lebanon) form part of the basis of the MRE along with all other previous PSO deployments.

Last week, the 69th Infantry Group completed their Mission Readiness Exercise prior to their upcoming deployment to UNIFIL. 69th Inf Gp personnel were put through rigorous scenarios, live firing and drills culminating in a Final Training Exercise (FTX) to ensure they are prepared for the deployment ahead of them.

Peacekeeping is not a job for soldiers, but only soldiers can do it - Dag Hammarskjöld

#ÓglaighnahÉireann #DefendOurState #IrishDefenceForces

[Department of Defence @IRLDeptDefence]

Minister @HMcEntee TD opened the Maritime Security Conference in Dublin last week. At this event as part of @Ireland2026eu the Minister highlighted the importance of closer cooperation between government, industry and European partners, to protect undersea infrastructure