Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 31 Jan 1995

Vol. 448 No. 3

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Complaints Procedure.

Willie Penrose

Question:

204 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Defence his views on the establishment of an Ombudsman for Military Affairs either in its own right or as an extension of the Civil Ombudsman's Office to include military affairs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1902/95]

Minister for Defence (Mr. Coveney)

The procedures for dealing with grievances in the Defence Forces are at present being reviewed. The matter is being considered under the provisions of the conciliation and arbitration scheme for the Permanent Defence Forces. A sub-committee of the conciliation council is examining the existing grievance procedures with a view to identifying problems and assessing options for improvements. In this context a draft scheme for a new complaints procedure has been issued to the Permanent Defence Force representative associations.

While I do not wish to pre-empt the discussions at the sub-committee of the conciliation council on the reform of the complaints procedure within the Defence Forces, I see merit in the introduction of some independent third party investigation to assist in the review of grievances brought to attention. Such a proposal has been made to both PDFORRA and RACO.

Regarding the issue of an Ombudsman for military affairs, it is first necessary to see how the proposed reformed redress of wrongs/grievance procedures work out in practice. The Ombudsman issue can be pursued if the reformed procedures do not meet requirements.