Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 February 2025
174. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence whether progress has been made on Ireland's National Action Plans on Women, Peace and Security regarding the protection and participation of women in the Defence Forces; to detail what progress has been made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6402/25]
View answerIreland is committed, its National Action Plans (NAPs) on Women Peace and Security, to women’s protection in fragile and conflict-affected zones and the prevention and combatting of all human rights violations against women, including Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Gender-Based Violence.
The Deputy may wish to be aware that the third NAP on Women, Peace and Security has now elapsed and the fourth iteration is currently being drafted with Department of Foreign Affairs as the Secretariat, with my Department and the Defence Forces involved in this drafting process. Once the 4th NAP on Women, Peace and Security has been approved and published, the Defence Forces will then draft a corresponding 4th Defence Forces Action Plan to capture the tasks contained in the Plan.
Each of the NAPs are subject to regular review by a Monitoring Group and each NAP was subject to mid-term reviews of progress and also final reviews carried out by independent consultants and which can be found at the following link:
www.ireland.ie/en/dfa/role-policies/international-priorities/peace-and-security/women-peace-and-security/irelands-national-action-plans-on-women-peace-and-security/
Outside of the NAP, a significant amount of work has been initiated in support of protection and participation of women and men in the Defence Forces.
The deputy will be aware that following Government approval, a Judge-led Independent Review Group (IRG), was established on 25th January 2022, to examine issues relating to dignity, discrimination, bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual misconduct in the Defence Forces. This Independent Review was seen as a critical and vital first step to ensure that each member of the Defence Forces, is able to carry out their duties in a safe workplace, underpinned by dignity and equality and where there is zero tolerance of unacceptable behaviour and where lessons are learnt from historical experiences.
The report of the IRG was published following Government approval on 28 March 2023. One of the first actions taken following publication of the IRG report was the establishment of an External Oversight Body of the Defence Forces to oversee the implementation of relevant recommendations of the Report.
Chaired by Ms Patricia King, the Body is seen as a critical element in increasing transparency and accountability and driving the necessary changes to the workplace culture and behaviour throughout the Defence Forces, and further information on this can be found at the below link: https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/557ea-external-oversight-body-of-the-defence-forces/
Relatedly, on 20th June 2024, a Tribunal of Inquiry also was established to examine the effectiveness of the complaints procedures in the Defence Forces concerning workplace issues relating to discrimination, bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual misconduct. It also has the power to investigate the response to complaints made regarding the use of hazardous chemicals within Air Corps’ headquarters at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel. The Government also approved the appointment of Ms. Justice Ann Power to Chair the Tribunal.
My Department continues to oversee and support the implementation of the recommendations in the NAPs and in the report of the IRG, in liaison with the Defence Forces. My ultimate aim is to ensure the protection and participation of women and men in the Defence Forces, where we can provide a safe workplace, and where every individual is respected and valued. The implementation of the recommendations of the IRG report will be crucial in achieving this aim, nationally.
