Liz McManus
Ceist:108 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Defence if he will appoint an ombudsman for the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5003/99]
Written Answers. - Defence Forces Ombudsman.
The question of the appointment of an ombudsman for the Defence Forces has been raised by PDFORRA under the conciliation and arbitration scheme for the Permanent Defence Force. The terms of the scheme, which have been agreed with the association, provide that discussions under it are confidential to the parties involved. Accordingly, the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate of me to comment further on this issue.
Complaints procedures for the Defence Forces were agreed with PDFORRA and RACO and implemented with effect from May 1996. The procedures provide for the appointment of an independent complaints inquiry officer to investigate grievances on behalf of the Minister. A review of the procedures will be undertaken by sub-committees of the conciliation council established for that purpose and I anticipate that agreement with the associations on revised procedures will be reached at an early date.