Minister for Defence (Ireland)
The Minister for Defence () is the senior minister at the Department of Defence in the Government of Ireland. The current Minister for Defence is Simon Coveney, TD. He is also Minister for Foreign Affairs. 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. The Minister is assisted by the Minister of State at the Department of Defence, Jack Chambers, TD.