Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 September 2012
13. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Defence his plans for the future of the Ombudsman of the Defence Forces; the future powers and resources of the position; the time frame for any changes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39479/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe term of appointment of the former Ombudsman for the Defence Forces, Ms. Paulyn Marrinan Quinn, expired on 18 September 2012. The Public Appointments Service are currently conducting a competition aimed at filling the post, with interviews scheduled to be completed in early October. Once this process is complete the matter will be submitted to Government by the Minister proposing that the Government recommend to the President that the person successful in the current competition be appointed as the new Ombudsman for the Defence Forces. It is anticipated that this process will be completed by the end of October. While there will be a short interregnum before the appointment of the new Ombudsman, this is not a major concern. The staff in the Office of the Ombudsman will continue to process and investigate cases pending the new appointment.
The primary role of the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces, which is provided for in the Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Act 2004, is to provide an independent appeals process for members of the Defence Forces who have processed a complaint through the internal Defence Forces redress of wrongs process but remain dissatisfied with the outcome or the manner in which the complaint was handled. The 2004 Act also provides that, subject to certain conditions, the Ombudsman may accept complaints directly from former members of the Defence Forces. There are no plans to change these roles.
Recent trends show a significant increase in the number of redress of wrongs complaints being resolved within the military system, thus reducing the number of cases being referred to the Ombudsman for investigation, a fact I very much welcome. In addition, it is anticipated that the new and comprehensive promotion system for NCOs agreed and introduced earlier this year will eliminate the many complaint referrals to the Ombudsman, which account for about a third of the caseload. Against this background, the post of Ombudsman for the Defence Forces was advertised on a part time, three day week basis, subject to ongoing review of caseload and referrals. The Minister has no plans currently for changes in the role of the Ombudsman or to amend the legislation in relation to the powers or functions of the Ombudsman.
In conclusion, I would like to take this opportunity to put on the record of the House, the Government’s appreciation of the seven years’ service given to the State by Ms. Marrinan Quinn since she was first appointed as Ombudsman for the Defence Forces in 2005. Her service during this period was all the more noteworthy given that she was the first person to undertake this important role, a fact that necessitated her putting in place all the various operating structures and systems that have served the office so well in the intervening years. I thank her for her contribution and I wish her well in the future.
