Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Dec 2001

Vol. 545 No. 4

Written Answers. - Departmental Bodies.

Jim Mitchell

Question:

142 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Defence the different working groups, review groups, expert groups, commissions, interdepartmental working groups and various fora established by him since entering office in 1997. [30443/01]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

Other than departmental committees which are established on an ongoing basis, the following groups have been set up in my Department since 1997.

In December 1997 a steering group was established to oversee a special study of the Reserve Defence Force. The objective of the special study was to develop a blueprint for a more effective, efficient and value for money Reserve Defence Force. The group reported in August 1999.

In July 1998 the Government approved the appointment of an interdepartmental task force on the future management and development of the Curragh of Kildare. The task force report was presented in June 1999 and was made available to the public in May 2000.

The naval and air services consultation group was established in November 1998 on foot of the special studies of the Air Corps and Naval Service conducted by Pricewaterhouse consultants. The group's remit was to provide inputs to the naval and air services planning process which culminated with the completion of the Naval Service implementation plan and the Air Corps implementation plan. Following the completion of its work the group was disbanded in June.

In August 1999 a review group was established to undertake an examination of the full range of medical services provided for members of the Defence Forces. Its other aim was to make recommendations as to the most economical, effective and efficient arrangements by which medical services can be delivered to the Defence Forces and having regard to the Defence Forces review implementation plan, the future organisation, staffing, resources, roles and responsibilities of the Medical Corps. The group reported in July 2000.

An interdepartmental Defence and Security Environment Assessment Group was established in February 2000. Its aim is to ensure that the Government is kept up to date on the implications for defence and the Defence Forces of developments in the defence and security environment.

Arising from the Report of the Air Accident Investigation Unit of the Department of Public Enterprise into the accident at Tramore in 1999 a working group, comprising representatives from both the civilian and military branches of my Department and from the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources, was established in September 2000 to monitor progress in regard to the implementation of the safety recommendations set out in that report. The work of this group is ongoing and regular progress reports are made.

Arising from the Partnership 2000 Agreement for Inclusion, Employment and Competitiveness a number of partnership committees has been established.

In August a special steering group, comprising members of the Defence Forces and civilian experts, was established to study the nature and extent of bullying-sexual harassment in the Defence Forces, to review existing policies and procedures, to make recommendations on strategies and programmes of awareness and education in the area. The group is expected to report next year.

In September the Naval Service joint implementation team was established to oversee the implementation of the Naval Service implementation plan. It is envisaged that the team will report progress in due course.

In October an interdepartmental working group on emergency planning was established to support the role and functions of the emergency planning task force and the Office of Emergency Planning.