Director General Esa Pulkkinen invited to Commission on Irish Defence Forces

Director General Esa Pulkkinen from the Defence Policy Department of the Ministry of Defence has been nominated as member of the Commission on the Irish Defence Forces.

Minister for Defence and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ireland, Mr Simon Coveney has established an independent Commission, tasked to ensure that the Irish Defence Forces are fit for purpose and to develop a long-term vision for beyond 2030.

Ireland has invited national and international experts on defence and security policy to work on the Commission. Mr Aidan O'Driscoll, former Secretary General of the Department of Justice of Ireland, will chair the Commission.

- It is naturally a great honour for me, as a Finn, to participate in the development of the Defence Forces in another EU member state. In my previous job as Director General of the EU Military Staff, I was from time to time in close contact with Ireland and the Irish Chief of Defence, says Director General Pulkkinen.

He will take part in the Commission's work in addition to his permanent duties at the Ministry of Defence.

Press release of the Irish Ministry of Defence on the establishment of the independent Commission

Inquiries: Director General Esa Pulkkinen, tel. +358 295 140300, Director of Communications Niina Hyrsky, tel. +358 295 140120.