Vol. 496 No. 4
83 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Defence the action, if any, taken by him to date in accelerating the process whereby reports on accidents or incidents involving Defence Forces personnel are produced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22968/98]
The procedures governing the investigation of accidents or incidents involving members of the Defence Forces are provided for in Defence Forces regulations and administrative instructions. The length of time taken to investigate such occurrences can depend on factors such as the nature of the accident or incident and the scope of the investigation called for. They are by their nature intensive and wide ranging and can take some considerable time to bring to completion.
In so far as lessons can be learned from the occurrence of unfortunate events which in turn may forestall such events recurring, I have conveyed to the military authorities my view that in so far as it is possible and consonant with the requirements of the process involved, reports should be produced expeditiously.
