Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 October 2023
109. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on the need for cultural change in the Defence Forces and the Strategic Framework: Transformation of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42516/23]
View answerI published the Strategic Framework on the Transformation of the Defence Forces on 26 September. The purpose of the Strategic Framework is to bring together into one overarching document, the immediate actions to be taken to support the transformation of the Defence Forces into a fit for purpose organisation to defend the State and meet the challenges of today and the future.
My priority within this transformation is cultural change above all else.
It consolidates into one document key actions under a number of Defence Sector reports and plans, which will underpin this transformation.
• The report of the Independent Review Group (IRG), established to examine dignity and equality issues in the Defence Forces published in March 2023.
• The Report of the Commission on Defence Forces (CoDF) published in February 2022
• Specific actions to support the recruitment and retention of the Defence Forces
• the Defence Forces Equipment Development Plan and the Infrastructure Development Plan
• The legislative programme necessary to underpin the transformation efforts
The Framework is designed to be fully understood by everyone and has appropriate governance and reporting mechanisms, to oversee this transformation and bring transparency and accountability to the work.
Core priorities identified for completion by the end of 2024 under the Strategic Framework are:
• Specific actions to support cultural change within the Defence Forces through a well-designed and expertly implemented culture change programme, led and driven convincingly from the leadership of the Defence Forces.
• That the numbers of personnel in the Defence Forces are stabilised, and thereafter increasing the strength towards the level of ambition arising from the Report of the Commission on Defence Forces.
• The implementation of a policy for the application of the Working Time Directive within the Defence Forces.
• To progress specific projects to enhance the physical working environment and equipment of our personnel including specific capability enhancements across all Services.
• To set up a new independent, external complaints service for serving members of the Defence Forces and a new complaints process for civilians and civil servants.
• To introduce the legislative changes to support the transformation of the Defence Forces.
• To set up the Judge led Tribunal of Inquiry to examine the effectiveness of the complaints processes in the Defence Forces into workplace issues relating to discrimination, bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual misconduct is established.
The transformation process will be supported by new governance and reporting arrangements which are both clear and straightforward:
• the Secretary General of the Department of Defence and the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces will report on the delivery of actions to the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence quarterly;
• the External Oversight Body of the Defence Forces which is a critical element in achieving the goal of cultural change of the Defence Forces, and the oversight of the Defence Forces in the delivery of actions on foot of the IRG Report will monitor and report on progress the Implementation Oversight Group; and
• the High Level Steering Board tasked to oversee and drive progress on the implementation of the Commission on the Defence Forces will continue.
The timescale for this Strategic Framework is to the end of 2024, with an update report published every six months, commencing March 2024.
A revised Strategic Framework for 2025 and beyond will be published at the end of 2024.
