I propose to take Questions Nos. 456, 457 and 458 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, following Government approval on 25 January last, an Independent Review Group, under the Chair of retired High Court Judge, Bronagh O’Hanlon, has been established to examine issues relating to bullying, harassment, discrimination and sexual misconduct, as well as workplace culture, in the Defence Forces.
The Independent Review Group will, in particular:-
- Advise on whether the current legislative frameworks, policies, procedures and practices for addressing incidents of unacceptable behaviour in the workplace are effective.
- Independently assess whether the pervading culture in the workplace is fully aligned with the principles of dignity, equality, mutual respect, and duty of care for every member of the Defence Forces.
- Provide recommendations and guidance on measures and strategies required to underpin a workplace based on dignity, equality, mutual respect, and duty of care for every member of the Defence Forces.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the work of the Review Group is entirely independent in keeping with the Terms of Reference.
The Terms of Reference provide that it is open to the Review Group to conduct its business through oral and/or written engagement on a group basis and/or individual basis. The Review will include the receipt of the views and experiences from both current and former DF personnel of workplace incidents of unacceptable behaviour. The sharing of such views and experiences by interviewees will be entirely voluntary and treated in confidence.
While I have received the first monthly report from the Chair of the Review Group setting out the work plan and outlining progress to date, in accordance with the Terms of Reference approved by Government, these do not provide that this work plan be published.
I look forward to further monthly reports on the progress of the Review and in addition, any interim assessments or recommendations from the Review Group, addressing any issues arising which may require immediate action.
The Deputy may also wish to note that the Independent Review Group has recently commenced a public consultation process, and the Review Group is now accepting submissions from individuals and organisations on issues relevant to its Terms of Reference. These submissions will form an important input to the Group’s final review report. Details of how to make a submission are available on the website of the Independent Review Group www.gov.ie/irgdf .
The Review Group are to provide me with an Interim Report within 6 months of its establishment and I very much look forward to that. The final Report is to be submitted to me within 12 months and I intend to bring this Report to Government, after which it will be published.