Jim O'Keeffe
Question:61 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Defence the position in relation to the Army Equitation School; and the reason the Army's first woman showjumper recently resigned. [20453/02]
Other Questions. - Army Equitation School.
The individual referred to retired voluntarily from the Permanent Defence Force on 1 October 2002 after six years' service. She joined the Defence Forces as a cadet in October 1996 and was commissioned as a second-lieutenant in July 1998. On commissioning, she was posted as riding officer to the Army Equitation School. During her service at the school she was a regular prizewinner on the national circuit and represented the country at an event in Lyon, France, in 2002 where she finished the show as the leading lady rider.
Following her application to retire from the Defence Forces she was interviewed by her commanding officer. During this interview she indicated she wanted to pursue a change in career. The officer in question was a valued member of the Army Equitation School and her positive contribution to that establishment was always appreciated. She has now embarked on another career and she may be assured that the good wishes of all ranks of her former unit go with her in that new career.
Does the Minister of State agree that such an outstanding showjumper, the first woman showjumper in the Army, was someone to be treasured and encouraged in every way to continue representing the Army and her country? Is she aware of comments in the newspapers which indicate that she was not made to feel fully welcome in the Army? Is the Minister of State happy with such a situation? Former Lieutenant Quinlivan is reported to have referred to the Army as being a man's world and said that she found herself frustrated in progressing her career as a woman Army officer. Does the Minister of State accept that is not the kind of welcome that should have been extended to her?
The lady in question was an outstanding showjumper and a great asset to the Army Equitation School. I understand the Defence Forces have nothing to indicate that the comments reported in the newspapers were made by her, either when she left or prior to her leaving the Army. She undertook an exit interview with her commanding officer when she applied to retire at which she indicated her wish to change her career. In response to some of the issues that were in the paper the officer in question was allocated horses and opportunities based on the criteria of compatibility, skill and so on, as with all other riders in the school. We do not have any evidence to back up the comments made in the papers.
Does the Minister not accept that there was a major article in the Irish Independent on 4 October?
The Deputy will appreciate that it is not permitted to quote during Question Time.
I appreciate that. There was a lovely photograph of Lieutenant Quinlivan and her horse in the paper. Is the Minister not concerned that there could be some truth in the assertions that she did not feel comfortable continuing in her army career? This was an outstanding member of the army, one who brought pride to it and the country by representing us so well.
I extend my best wishes to Lieutenant Quinlivan and hope that she will be able to continue to represent the country in another role. Will the Minster ensure that the comments that were made will be taken seriously and examined, so as to prevent any woman in the army, in any capacity, from being made to feel that it is a man's world with no place, or career, for her?
I agree, absolutely, with Deputy O'Keeffe. I too, would like to wish Lieutenant Quinlivan well in her equitation and her newly chosen career. All of us would want to ensure that workplace bullying at whatever level and against whomever should be stamped out. That is why the Defence Forces and the Minister asked Dr. Eileen Doyle to carry out an external review in regard to harassment, sexual harassment, bullying, discrimination and so on, in regard to the Defence Forces. She completed a very fine report with a large number of recommendations, all of which have been accepted by the Minister. It is only with the commitment that now exists for their implementation that we can wipe out what she found to be very unacceptable levels of harassment, bullying etc. This is the only way we can prevent incidences such as that referred to by Deputy O'Keeffe.