<Tr> <Th> Formation </Th> <Td> 22 January 1919 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Website </Th> <Td> defence.ie </Td> </Tr> <P> 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 Leo Varadkar, TD . </P> <P> 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 . </P>

Who is the minister for defence in ireland