Tánaiste Simon Harris thanks outgoing Chief of Staff Seán Clancy at Transfer of Authority Ceremony
- Foilsithe: 23 Bealtaine 2025
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 23 Bealtaine 2025
The Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, Simon Harris TD, today (23 May) attended a ceremony at McKee Barracks, Dublin, to mark the transfer of authority from the outgoing Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Seán Clancy, to the incoming Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Rossa Mulcahy.
The transfer of authority is effective from 1 June 2025, when Lieutenant General Clancy takes-up his new position as Chair of the European Union Military Committee.
In his remarks, the Tánaiste paid tribute to Lieutenant General Clancy and thanked him sincerely for his,
leadership, commitment, professionalism and dedication which has brought great honour on the Defence Forces and on the State as a whole.
Referring to his appointment as Chair of the EU Military Committee, the Tánaiste said Lieutenant Clancy is the first Irish person to hold the position.
To be appointed to a position of such distinction is a great honour not just for Seán and his family, but for Ireland as a whole. It also illustrates the regard in which the Irish Defence Forces are held on the world stage.
The Tánaiste also congratulated Brigadier General Mulcahy and wished him well in his appointment as Chief of Staff, noting that he was taking-up,
a role that has been filled with great distinction by a long list of illustrious predecessors, dating back to the first Commander-in-Chief, General Michael Collins.
Simon Harris added:
I look forward to working closely with the incoming Chief of Staff in the months and years ahead, focussed on delivering positive change within our Defence Forces.
The ceremony was attended by members of the Defence Forces’ Board, the Secretary General of the Department of Defence, Jacqui McCrum, and members of the Department’s Management Board, as well as the families of Lieutenant General Clancy and Brigadier General Mulcahy.
