Billy Timmins
Ceist:30 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Defence if he has appointed an ombudsman for the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13746/02]
Written Answers. - Defence Forces Ombudsman.
In July last year, the Government approved the drafting of an Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Bill, along the lines of a General Scheme of a Bill presented to Government. In January 2002 the draft text of the Bill was submitted to Government and was approved for publication and circulated to Deputies. Unfortunately, due to pressing time constraints, the Bill did not proceed further prior to the end of the last Dáil session. However, it is my intention that the Bill will be enacted this autumn and an appointment made to the new office of Ombudsman for the Defence Forces as soon as practical thereafter.
Question No. 31 answered with Question No. 25.