The work of the Judge-led Independent Review Group (IRG), established by me on 25 January last, following Government approval, is examining issues relating to bullying, harassment, discrimination and sexual misconduct, as well as workplace culture, in the Defence Forces.
I can assure the Deputy that the process I have undertaken for appointing the members of the Group has been entirely transparent with due regard to members' level of expertise and independence.
I determined that the Chairperson of the 3-person Group would be a former High Court Judge with relevant experience. I also decided that at least one of the members should be someone with extensive legal expertise. With regard to these 2 appointments, I consulted with the Attorney General who provided me with nominees, which I subsequently approved.
In the same vein, I also approved the membership of Jane Williams, having regard to her extensive experience in HR matters including in particular, as a former member of the Commission on the Defence Forces.
Current membership of the Group , as approved by me therefore, is as follows:
Chair: Ms Justice Bronagh O’Hanlon (Retired High Court Judge)
Member: Ms Jane Williams, HR Specialist and former member of the Commission on the Defence Forces
Member: Mr Don Hegarty, HR Specialist. Following receipt of a proposal from the Independent Review Group for a 4th member of the Group, I approved the nomination from the Chair of the Independent Review Group of Mr. Don Hegarty, on the basis of his extensive HR experience.
Member: Mr Simon Boyle SC (replaced Mr Mark Connaughton SC in August 2022). Mr. Boyle was nominated by the Attorney General's Office for my consideration and approval.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Group are due to submit a final report to me before the end of the year. This report will be brought to Government before being published. As I have already stated, I am particularly keen for this body of work to conclude.
