Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 May 2017
325. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if a person (details supplied) appointed to investigate protective disclosures into health and safety issues at Casement Aerodrome is empowered to compel witnesses to give evidence and make findings; when they are due to conclude their investigation; and if these findings will be made public. [21007/17]
View answer326. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will address concerns that a person (details supplied) appointed to investigate protective disclosures into health and safety issues at Casement Aerodrome does not have the relevant qualifications to investigate the health and safety risks as they relate to hazardous chemicals and possible serious health complications for personnel that were tasked with handling these materials. [21008/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 325 and 326 together.
The position is that in September 2016, I appointed an independent third party to review allegations made in a number of protected disclosures relating to health and safety issues in the Air Corps which were received in late 2015 and early 2016. The terms of reference for the review were as follows –
"The review shall encompass a review of all relevant documents held by the Department and the Defence Forces, any additional material as may be supplied or received by the reviewer, and interviews of such persons as considered appropriate by the reviewer.
The reviewer will:
1. Review the allegations as detailed in the written correspondence to the Minister and determine if –
In the period covered by the disclosure, did the Air Corps comply with relevant health and safety standards with regard to the safe use of toxic chemicals and if not what action has been
taken in the intervening period to ensure compliance.
2. In relation to the disclosure, provide considered views and observations in relation to the allegations set out.
3. Provide such other considered views and observations as are considered necessary.
The reviewer shall be provided with access to all available documentation relevant to the events and any other documentation requested by the Reviewer.
The reviewer shall be provided with the names of all relevant persons, including serving or retired members of the Defence Forces, or other persons the reviewer considers appropriate. The reviewer shall endeavour to interview or take statements from all relevant persons.
The Department of Defence and the Defence Forces shall each appoint a liaison officer to provide the necessary information required in order to conduct the review and to assist the reviewer in identifying the relevant persons to be interviewed.
The review shall be submitted to the Minister with Responsibility for Defence by the reviewer.".
These terms of reference were made available to those that submitted the protected disclosures at the outset of the review process. I am satisfied that the person appointed has the experience required to carry out the review he has been asked to undertake.
Once a final review is to hand, I will determine any further steps required and ensure that all recommendations will be acted upon to ensure the safety of the men and women of the Air Corps. Publication of the report will be a matter to be considered in light of its content and the obligations in the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 to protect the identity of those making such disclosures.
