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Defence Forces

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 November 2022

Tuesday, 8 November 2022

Questions (479, 480)

Catherine Connolly

Question:

479. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Defence the reason that the 'Women of Honour' have not been briefed on the progress of the review into abuse of personnel in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54520/22]

View answer

Catherine Connolly

Question:

480. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Defence his plans for a statutory procedure to examine past and ongoing abuse of personnel in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54521/22]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 479 and 480 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, I am committed to ensuring that every member of the Defence Forces can carry out their duties in a workplace underpinned by dignity and equality.

The Judge-led Independent Review Group, established last January by me, following Government approval, is examining the systems, policies and procedures for dealing with issues relating to bullying, discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual misconduct as well as workplace culture in the Defence Forces.

This Review is well underway and is a necessary and critical first step to address the need for a safe work environment for serving members with zero-tolerance for such unacceptable behaviour. The serving members of the Defence Forces expect nothing less.

There was extensive engagement with the Women of Honour Group and other stakeholders including serving members, in advance of the establishment of the Independent Review to examine issues relating to unacceptable behaviour in the Defence Forces. Without question, the engagements raised very serious concerns and I wish to pay tribute to all parties, including Women of Honour, for the courage they displayed in sharing their experiences.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Terms of Reference provide that it is open to the Review Group to conduct its business through oral and/or written engagement on a group basis and/or individual basis. The Review will include the receipt of the views and experiences from both current and former Defence Forces personnel of workplace incidents of unacceptable behaviour. I wish to underline that the sharing of such views and experiences by interviewees is entirely voluntary and treated in confidence.

I wish to add that the work of the Independent Review Group is entirely independent in keeping with the Terms of Reference. The Group have full independence and autonomy to undertake its body of work, under its Chair, Ms Justice Bronagh O’Hanlon. The Deputy will appreciate that I must allow the Group to undertake its body of work with full respect for their independence and autonomy.

I have received eight updates from the Independent Review Group including when they asked for a 4th member to assist in completing their work. This request was approved. In line also with the Terms of the Review, I have also been briefed via an Interim Report and at the request of the Group, this will not be published, as its work is not complete.

The Deputy will be aware that the Terms of Reference for the Review are wide-ranging and provide that Government may consider further work on receipt of the Independent Review findings. These assurances have been relayed to all stakeholders, including the Women of Honour Group.

As the Deputy will appreciate, I’m eager to have this work concluded. The final report which is to be presented to me at the end of the year, will be brought to Government, before being published.

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