Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 13 Feb 2002

Vol. 548 No. 3

Written Answers. - Bullying in the Workplace.

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith):

The Defence Forces have had formal policies and procedures on sexual harassment and bullying in place since February 1996 and these are outlined in an administrative instruction on interpersonal relationships. Lectures and briefings in this area have continued over the years as an integral element of the training syllabus on recruit, cadet and career courses and, in addition, on those occasions when troops are undergoing training for duty overseas.

In 2001, the Defence Forces commenced a re-examination of procedures to bring them into line with the best state of the art practice in both the wider public service and in the private sector. The section in the administrative instruction which deals with the procedures concerning allegations of bullying was revised to reflect this. The report of the Government task force on the prevention of workplace bullying, published in March 2001, requires all public and private organisations to reassess their policies. The Defence Forces will actively participate in this review and re-assessment exercise.

All incidents of sexual harassment brought to the attention of the military authorities are thoroughly investigated. Additional procedures are also being put in place by the Chief of Staff. Each barracks will have a female liaison officer, known and available to all females in barracks. Each formation commander will arrange women's days on a periodic basis to cover issues such as interpersonal relationships and women's health issues.

An internal information campaign of posters and a simplified user friendly booklet will convey the essential message of the administrative instruction on interpersonal relationships. Briefings and open discussions with mixed gender attendance are to be conducted by formation commanders and will continue on a periodic basis. The military authorities are emphasising again the serious nature of this subject for all personnel. The importance of establishing the proper environment cannot be over emphasised. The Chief of Staff has stated that commanders at all levels should bear in mind that it is a command responsibility to ensure that the military environment is free from any form of sexual harassment and bullying. He has further stated that any failure by a commander to ensure that such is the case or to deal adequately with complaints of sexual harassment or bullying would be considered a dereliction of duty.

The Chief of Staff has established a special military steering group to examine these issues. I invited Dr. Eileen Doyle, who chaired the Government's task force on the prevention of workplace bullying, to join the group as an expert civilian chairperson. Her task is to determine the nature and extent of sexual harassment, harassment and bullying in the Defence Forces, to review existing policies and procedures, and to make recommendations on strategies and programmes relating to awareness and education in this whole area. She has been joined by two other civilian experts, who previously worked with her on the original Government task force, and by senior military personnel, including the Deputy Chief of Staff, support, and a senior female Army officer.

Approximately 10% of the Defence Forces have been surveyed to determine the nature and the extent of harassment, sexual harassment and bullying and the responses are now being analysed. Dr. Doyle and the joint civilian-military group will now proceed to produce a report by next March. The Defence Forces fully recognise that the singular nature of the military environment does not give anyone a general licence for bullying or harassment of any kind. Such behaviour will not be tolerated.

Questions Nos. 86 and 87 answered with Question No. 44.