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Public Inquiries

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 February 2022

Thursday, 10 February 2022

Questions (319)

Patricia Ryan

Question:

319. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Defence if he will establish a statutory public inquiry into the allegations of sexual harassment and abuse by a group and a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7405/22]

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Written answers

As the Deputy will be aware, following Cabinet approval, an Independent Review Group has been established, under the Chair of Ms. Justice Bronagh O’Hanlon, to examine issues relating to sexual misconduct, bullying, harassment and discrimination in the Defence Forces.

The overall aims of the Independent Review are to: -

- Advise on whether the current legislative frameworks, policies, procedures and practices for addressing incidents of unacceptable behaviour in the workplace are effective.

- 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.

- 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.

This Independent Review is seen as a critical and vital next step to ensure that the workplace for serving members of the Defence Forces is safe, where there is zero tolerance of unacceptable behaviour and where we learn from historical experiences.

My Department and I have engaged extensively in recent months on the Terms of Reference, with the Women of Honour Group and with other stakeholders, including both serving and former members of the Defence Forces, the Representative Associations, PDFORRA, RACO and RDFRA and with a second group representing former members - the Men and Women of Honour Group.

These engagements have brought serious issues to my attention, which indicate that it is not just a historic issue. Regrettably, incidents of alleged unacceptable behaviour are still continuing to occur. Current and former members of the Defence Forces have been clear that the culture that is pervading, and the application of those policies, systems and procedures for dealing with unacceptable behaviour have not, and are not, serving all Defence Forces personnel well. Accordingly, I am strongly aware of the need for immediate action to ensure the safety of serving Defence Forces members.

The Terms of Reference for the Review, as approved by Cabinet, have been published on Gov.ie are available to view at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/d978a-dignity-and-equality-in-the-workplace-the-defence-forces-an-independent-review/

They provide that both former and serving members may share their experiences with the Independent Review Group. In this regard, the Independent Review Group will initiate a process to facilitate this. The Terms of the Review also provide that submissions can be made to the Review Group. I hope that all stakeholders, including the Women of Honour Group, the Men and Women of Honour Group and serving members will engage with the Independent Review Group. Their contribution will be critically important in taking this work forward.

I am fully satisfied that the Terms of Reference for the Review are sufficiently broad to allow the Independent Review Group members significant latitude to explore the areas that they need to explore and to bring forward recommendations for future actions.

In this regard the Review Group have been specifically asked to advise whether further work is required to examine issues of an historical nature and to make any recommendations regarding how this might best be pursued.

The Review Group will provide me with an interim report after six months. A final report is expected within 12 months. I will bring the Final Review Report to Government, who may consider any further bodies of work that might be necessary, taking into account the findings of the Independent Review Group. Thereafter, I intend to make the Final Review Report public.

I wish to reiterate my commitment and that of the Secretary General and Chief of Staff, to ensure that every member of the Defence Forces, can carry out their duties in a safe and respectful workplace based on dignity, equality and zero-tolerance for any kind of unacceptable behaviour.

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