Catherine Murphy
Question:100. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Defence his plans to develop and or introduce gender-focused sexual education in the Defence Forces training phase for recruits. [3733/22]
View answerWednesday, 26 January 2022
Questions (100)
Written answers
I have been advised by the Military Authorities that the Chief of Staff convened an Organisational Culture Standing Committee on 30 November 2021. This Committee was established to coordinate and progress the process of cultural change within the Defence Forces. As part of its core workings, the committee is examining a cultural change programme for the Defence Forces.
In researching the most suitable education programme for the Defence Forces, the Organisational Culture Standing Committee have consulted with external agencies and experts such as the University College Cork (UCC) School of Law, who developed and introduced the Bystander Intervention Programme to UCC. The Committee will also examine programmes used by other militaries.
I have been further advised that the General Staff will thereafter consider the most appropriate form for the delivery of a gender focused sexual education programme, which may include provisions on Defence Forces career training courses as well as inductee training.
I wish to also confirm that I have secured Government agreement to establish an Independent Review to examine issues relating to sexual misconduct, bullying, harassment and discrimination in the Defence Forces.
The Independent Review will:
- Advise on whether the current legislative frameworks, policies, procedures and practices for addressing incidents of unacceptable behaviour in the workplace are effective.
- It will independently assess whether the pervading culture in the workplace is fully aligned with the principles of dignity, equality, mutual respect, and duty of care for every member of the Defence Forces.
- It will also provide recommendations and guidance on measures and strategies required to underpin a workplace based on dignity, equality, mutual respect, and duty of care for every member of the Defence Forces.