Forty-one members of the Defence Forces have failed drug tests since the beginning of 2017.

All but one of the officers are men.

According to details released under the Freedom of Information Act, just over 3,000 mandatory drug tests have been conducted on members of the Defence Forces over the past two years and eight months.

There were 15 positive tests in 2017, 16 in 2018 and 10 so far this year.

The Defence Forces did not outline how the officers were disciplined - nor would it explain what substances were detected.

Source: Defence Forces

But it says the punishment for a positive test for a controlled drug can result in an individual being placed on a targeted drug testing regime for up to 18 months, after which a decision is taken on their career.

Defence Forces personnel are also provided with access to addiction-counselling, whether or not they test positive.

Reporting by Eoghan Murphy