Vol. 545 No. 4
80 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Defence the progress which has been made to date in 2001 in the preparation of legislation to provide for a Defence Forces Ombudsman; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30597/01]
83 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Defence when he expects to publish the Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30652/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 83 together.
In October 2000, I announced that I had decided that the time was right to proceed with the establishment of a statutory ombudsman for the Defence Forces. I emphasised that, in establishing this office, it was important to ensure that a credible complaints system would be provided, one which would be fair to all members of the Forces, while at the same time safeguarding the operational flexibility of the Defence Forces. Officials of my Department met with both of the Permanent Defence Force Representative Associations – PDFORRA and RACO – to advise them of the position. It was indicated to them that the Department would, following a period of detailed consideration of the issues involved, bring forward proposals to give effect to my decision.
Prior to that, PDFORRA had submitted their own proposals to my Department which set out their views and concerns regarding the establishment and functions of a Defence Forces ombudsman. Following on from this, a number of informal meetings took place between officials of my Department and PDFORRA in order to clarify aspects of that association's proposals. The concerns of PDFORRA have received due consideration in the course of the formulation of final proposals in relation to the establishment of a statutory ombudsman for the Defence Forces.
Meetings also took place with the Representative Association for Commissioned Officers – RACO – with regard to the proposal for the Defence Forces ombudsman.
In July this year, the Government approved the drafting of an Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Bill. The drafting of the Bill by the office of the parliamentary counsel to the Government, in consultation with my Department, is now at an advanced stage. On completion of the drafting, the Bill will be submitted to Government for approval of the draft text of the Bill and for authority to publish it and to circulate it to Deputies. I am confident that the Bill will be published in the very near future and I anticipate that it will be enacted by Easter 2002.
