Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 November 2023
39. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the extent to which ongoing changes identified in the review of the Defence Forces including pay, gender respect, bullying and-or other sensitive issues are likely to be addressed in total; the progress to date in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50869/23]
View answerThis question seeks to ascertain the extent of the progress to date in the implementation of the recommendations of the commission; to what extent that progress is converging on eventual resolution of the issues; and if the Minister will make a statement on the matter.
The report of the independent review group established to examine dignity and equality issues in the Defence Forces was published following Government approval on 28 March of this year. The Government agreed to progress the recommendations contained in the report. One of the first actions taken was the establishment of an external oversight body, initially on a non-statutory basis. This body is a critical element to driving the necessary culture change throughout the Defence Forces and increasing transparency and accountability. I am very pleased that Professor Brian MacCraith agreed to chair the body and the Government approved its terms of reference in July. A priority action for me at this time is to bring forward legislation to establish the body on a statutory footing and good progress is being made in this regard.
In July, the Government approved the text of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Bill 2023. Part 4 of the Bill amends sections 169 and 192 of the Defence Act 1954 in line with a recommendation in the IRG report. These amendments will ensure that An Garda Síochána will have sole jurisdiction within the State to investigate alleged sexual offences committed by persons subject to military law. Any subsequent cases will be dealt with by the civil courts. The Bill is currently progressing through the Dáil and is now on Report Stage.
Also in July, the Government approved the establishment of a tribunal of inquiry to examine the effectiveness of the complaints processes in the Defence Forces to address workplace issues relating to discrimination, bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual misconduct. Draft terms of reference have been shared with individuals and groups who have been in contact with me and my office, and I intend to revert to Government in the coming weeks to seek approval for the terms of reference and for the appointment of a judge to chair the tribunal.
In September, I published the Strategic Framework for the Transformation of the Defence Forces. This brings together, in one overarching document, the multiplicity of plans developed, and the immediate actions to be taken to support the transformation of the Defence Forces into a fit-for-purpose organisation capable of meeting the challenges of today and the future. In relation to the IRG report, the strategic framework identifies 23 specific actions to be progressed, including the three I have already mentioned, with the aim of completion by the end of next year.
Finally, on the element of the Deputy's question relating to pay in the Defence Forces, the implementation of the early actions from the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, in addition to the most recent pay increases provided under the Building Momentum pay agreement, have contributed significant progress on pay.
I thank the Tánaiste for the comprehensive nature of his reply. By way of supplementary question, if he is satisfied with the progress to date regarding the changes deemed to be necessary within the Defence Forces, to what extent does he think the proposed changes are accepted within the Defence Forces? Given the necessity to deal with such issues in the shortest possible time, and in order to stamp out any acceptance of the kind of things that went on, which the Tánaiste has already referred to in the reply, to what extent does he now expect to achieve all the objectives identified and to have them fully and finally resolved?
The publication of the IRG report was important. It enabled us to take fairly immediate action. I just outlined for the Deputy the amendments to legislation so that in the future all acts of sexual assault will go the civil courts. They will not be tried at military police level or at military court level; that is important. We had given that directive already. We have witnessed that inaction already in a number of cases that unfortunately have arisen but which have almost immediately have been referred to An Garda Síochána. That is progress. It is different from the way things were and it is very important. There is a new rigour there and a robustness in that any sexual assault incident that now occurs gets sent to An Garda Síochána straight away. Today, the Government approved of the detailed implementation plan for the Commission on the Defence Forces, and the overall strategic framework of approximately 130 actions. There is now a specific timeline over the next number of years for the implementation of both the recommendations of the Commission of the Defence Forces, and also in respect of the IRG.
Are the issues around pay and working conditions being fully addressed in an aggressive way in order to ensure that the Defence Forces and its membership can rest assured that the changes proposed are inevitable, that they are being made, and that they are being taken seriously, and that refers to all and every aspect of the report?
I mentioned in an earlier reply the details of starting pay which has increased very significantly in the last number of years. The starting rates of pay in the Defence Forces now compare very well to comparable rates of pay across the public service. In addition, a range of financial and non-financial measures have been introduced such as the extension of private secondary medical care to all Defence Forces personnel. New work-life balance initiatives have also been introduced. Allowances for the Army Ranger Wing have been approved and, as the Deputy knows, we have replaced the existing seagoing allowances with less complex seagoing duty measures. As Deputies may have heard of last week, I was pleased to announce that the patrol duty allowance paid to Naval Service personnel is to be doubled after ten days at sea, and that will take effect from 1 January 2024. In recognition of the commission's recommendation, this new measure provides far greater clarity regarding the overall package available to our Naval Service personnel and potential recruits. By any yardstick, very significant progress has been made on pay and allowances and also on capability and equipment, which is dealt with in a later question.
