Ireland

Conscription currently imposed?

No

Has never existed. Could be imposed in emergency under Article 54 of the 1954 Defence Act.

Conscientious objection first recognised

No provision ever made, but has co-sponsored CO resolutions in the UN Human Rights Council.

Current provisions

Duration

Military service

Civilian service (% of military)

CO release of professional soldiers

–

”Discharge by purchase” possible, but not during state of emergency.

Minimum recruitment age

18

Population

Total

% males 15-19

Thus approx. annual cohort reaching 18

5,181,000

3.3

34,195

Armed forces

Total strength

Of which conscripts

Compared to annual cohort above

7,700

-

22.5%

Military expenditure

$ (% change from 2022)

Per capita

% of GDP

$1,269m (+9.0%)

$251.0

0.2%