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Taoiseach Attends Army Commissioning Ceremony of the 94th Army Cadet Class

20190205 Taoiseach Cadet ClassTaoiseach Leo Varadkar along with the Minister with Responsibility for Defence, Mr. Paul Kehoe today attended the Commissioning Ceremony of the 94th Army Cadet Class at Dublin Castle. 

The commissioning of 77 members of the 94th Cadet Class represents the single biggest intake of Cadets since the foundation of the State.

Nine of the 77 Cadets commissioned are from the Armed Forces of Malta.

Some 17 members of the class are women - the largest cohort of females ever to be commissioned from one class.

This was the first time that a commissioning ceremony was held outside of the Defence Forces Training Centre, Curragh Camp.

In his address to the newly Commissioned Officers, An Taoiseach said:

Our Army, our Air Corps and our Naval Service perform vital functions in our society. Today’s newly commissioned officers go out into the world equipped to be leaders at home and abroad. As a country we are committed to contributing to and advancing the cause of international peace and security. Over the past sixty years, in our work with the United Nations, we have matched our words with our deeds. Irish men and women have fought and died for the cause of peace and in the service of others.

As Taoiseach, I’ve had the privilege of visiting the Defence Forces on mission in Lebanon and Mali and I have seen first-hand their commitment and courage. Our Defence Forces have stood up to violent extremists, freed hostages, rescued nearly 18,000 people in the Mediterranean and tragically they have seen hundreds drown and recovered scores of bodies. The Defence Forces are our first line of defence at home and they bring honour on our country abroad. It is an enormous responsibility. I salute the courage and commitment of all the new officers being commissioned today.

Read An Taoiseach's speech from the ceremony here.