Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces (Ireland)

The Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces (COS) (Irish: Ceann Foirne na bhFórsaí Cosanta) is charged with the executive management of the Irish Defence Forces, and is the most senior military officer of the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps branches. The Chief of Staff is appointed by the President of Ireland, who is the Supreme Commander of the Defence Forces, on the recommendation of the Minister for Defence subject to the approval of the Government of Ireland. The office of the Chief of Staff consists of his personal staff, a strategic planning office, a public relations section and the military judge.^[1]

MemberofNational Security Committee

ReportstoMinister for Defence

NominatorGovernment of Ireland on the recommendation of the Minister for Defence

Appointer

• President of Ireland

Quick facts Chief of Staff of Defence Forces Ireland, Member of ...

Chief of Staff of Defence Forces Ireland
Incumbent Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy (Irish Army) since 1 June 2025
Defence Forces
Member of	National Security Committee
Reports to	Minister for Defence
Nominator	Government of Ireland on the recommendation of the Minister for Defence
Appointer	President of Ireland
Website	Official website

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The Defence Forces Chief of Staff sits on the government's National Security Committee (NSC).^[2]

The Chief of Staff delegates remaining executive duties to two deputy chiefs of staff (who hold the rank of major general or equivalent) and one assistant chief of staff (brigadier general or equivalent);

• The Deputy Chief of Staff Operations (D COS Ops) is tasked with operational matters.
• The Deputy Chief of Staff Support (D COS Sp) is tasked with military support matters.
• The Assistant Chief of Staff Support (ACOS Sp) is also tasked with military support matters.^[1]

As of June 2025, the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces was Lieutenant General Rossa Mulcahy.^[3]