Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 February 2017
841. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason it took from November 2015, when his Department first received a protected disclosure relating to the Air Corps, until July 2016 to appoint an independent reviewer to examine breaches of health and safety at Casement Aerodrome. [9632/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra842. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence when he expects the independent reviewer to complete the report into health and safety at Casement Aerodrome; if he will publish the report and all other internal reports to his Department pertaining to this matter; and if he will ensure full public disclosure on this matter. [9633/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra845. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on the concerns of whistleblowers regarding the impartiality of a person (details supplied) who was appointed as independent assessor to investigate health. [9636/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 841, 842 and 845 together.
Three disclosures in respect of health and safety issues in the Air Corps, made under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, were received in November 2015, December 2015 and January 2016. Certain of the issues raised in the protected disclosures relate to ongoing litigation and in that context, legal advice was sought on how best to progress and deal with the material received. In addition, the nature of the issues raised crossed issues of compliance with legislation, personnel issues and matters relating to technical management. Therefore, it was important to identify an appropriate individual to carry out the review of the allegations contained in the disclosures.
Having regard to the foregoing, a person was appointed to undertake the review at the earliest opportunity. Unfortunately, this individual was not ultimately in a position to carry out the review. I immediately moved to appoint an alternative third party to carry out the independent review and I am satisfied with the progress of the review since then and I look forward to receiving a final report in the near future. The question of the publication or otherwise of the final report will be addressed once I receive same but I can assure the Deputy that any recommendations contained in the final report will be acted upon to ensure the safety of the men and women of the Air Corps.
I am fully satisfied with regard to the impartiality of the independent person appointed to investigate the allegations made in the protected disclosures to which the Deputy refers.
