Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 September 2021
117. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Defence the status of the 4th Independent Monitoring Group for the Defence Forces which should have been initiated in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47118/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, there have been three Reports from the Independent Monitoring Group (IMG) since the publication of the Report in 2002 of the External Advisory Committee on the Defence Forces, ‘The Challenge of the Workplace’.
Whilst progress has been made in the interim years in terms of measures and systems now in place in the Defence Forces to address any allegations of inappropriate behaviour in the workplace including discrimination, sexual harassment and bullying, it is recognised that further work needs to be done.
Extensive discussions between the Secretary General and the Chief of Staff have been taking place over several months on next steps for the IMG process and what that would encompass. It was considered that a “back to basics” Independent Review is required at this stage. On that basis the IMG is to be set aside.
I wish to emphasise that the Independent Review will be undertaken by external and independent experts and will examine the effectiveness of current policies and procedures dealing with workplace issues such as dignity, bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and discrimination.
The terms of the Independent Review currently remain under consideration and are being informed by stakeholder engagement.
