Brendan Howlin
Question:25. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he has met or is intending to meet with a group (details supplied) since assuming office as Minister. [5153/23]
View answerThursday, 2 February 2023
Questions (25)
Written answers
I am fully committed to ensuring that every member of the Defence Forces has the right to undertake their duties in a safe environment underpinned by dignity and equality and by a culture of zero-tolerance for any kind of bullying, discrimination, harassment or sexual abuse. That is an absolute priority.
The Judge-led Independent Review Group, established last January by Government, is examining the systems, policies and procedures for dealing with issues relating to bullying, discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual misconduct in the Defence Forces as well as the prevailing workplace culture.
I wish to commend the courage of serving members, the Women of Honour group and the Men and Women of Honour group, as well as serving members of the Defence Forces, who have shared their experiences of unacceptable behaviour in the Defence Forces. It was clear that there was a very critical and immediate need to address the prevailing work culture, including issues relating to the current systems, policies and procedures for dealing with unacceptable behaviour in the Defence Forces.
The primary objective of all concerned, at the outset, was to acknowledge issues in the current workplace and to establish a course of action that would address that. The Independent Review Group has undertaken this work in the past 12 months. Many stakeholders, including serving members, have lent their support to the Independent Review Group.
The Deputy will be aware that I met with the Group in January of last year in my capacity as Taoiseach. I emphasised at that meeting that that the concerns and views of Women of Honour are not being ignored and the Terms of Reference gave the Independent Review Group sufficient lattitude to assess if a further body was work is required with regard to historical matters.
I understand that the Report will be with me later this week and I do not intend, at this time, to pre-empt any recommendations which might come from that. I will of course, be considering the Report in full, in consultation with the Attorney General before bringing the Report to Government and its publication.
I do intend to seek meetings with all stakeholders, including the Women of Honour.