Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 January 2022
102. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Defence the status of the inclusion of a person (details supplied) in the formation of the terms of reference for the review on Army sex abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3952/22]
View answerMy Department remains in contact with the individual named and met with him most recently on the 22nd December 2021. Officials in the Department keep his correspondence under continuous review.
Given the manner in which the individual sources his information, the matters detailed by him cannot be investigated by me or my officials, particularly where it is alleged that criminal offences of a sexual nature have been committed against children. They are best investigated by an Garda Síochána.
The allegations put forward by this individual differ somewhat from those raised by the Women of Honour Group. In general, others are relaying their own stories whereas the person named relays, in the main, the accounts of other people. His accounts also allege grave improprieties against children and these matters would not be suitable for consideration by the review currently being considered as these are issues of a criminal nature which may or may not have occurred within the workplace.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the nomination of a Senior Counsel has been sought and received from the Office of the Attorney General to conduct an independent assessment of the specific actions taken by the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces on foot of the extensive correspondence received. This is a discrete assessment and the outcome will be made available to the Independent Review Group once completed.
The named individual has been so informed and it is envisaged that my Department will be in further contact with him very shortly.
I wish to assure the Deputy that the individual named and the concerns he raises are dealt with in a considerate and serious manner.
