Monica Barnes
Question:41 Mrs. Barnes asked the Minister for Defence the progress he is making in the establishment of a legislative ombudsman following the commitment given at the PDFORRA conference in Galway in October 2000. [3913/01]
Written Answers. - Defence Forces Ombudsman.
Dick Spring
Question:77 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Defence the progress made in his discussions with the representative organisations regarding the appointment of a Defence Forces Ombudsman. [4012/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 41 and 77 together.
As I advised the House in December, the question of the appointment of an Ombudsman for the Defence Forces is being dealt with under the conciliation and arbitration scheme for the Permanent Defence Force. The terms of the scheme, which have been agreed with the representative associations, provide that discussions at conciliation and arbitration are confidential to the parties involved. Accordingly, the Deputies will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment in detail on this issue.
As the House will recall, I announced last October that I had decided the time was now ripe to proceed with the establishment of a legislative Ombudsman for the Defence Forces. It is important in establishing this office that we provide a credible grievance system which is fair to all members of the force. Discussions are taking place with both of the representative associations with a view to defining the scope and powers of a military Ombudsman in terms which will meet the divergent needs of the various parties. The discussion process is also likely to result in an updating of the existing internal complaints procedures. As soon as those discussions are completed, I will make the necessary legislative arrangements to give effect to the Ombudsman proposal.
I would also like to remind the Deputies that under the provisions of the Ombudsman Act, 1980, military personnel already have the right to make complaints against my Department to the Ombudsman.