Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence to discuss the General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2023 with members of the External Oversight Body of the Defence Forces  

The following representatives from the External Oversight Body of the Defence Forces are due to appear: 

Chair of the External Oversight Body of the Defence Forces Mr Brian MacCraith 

Ms Josephine Feehily, Chair of the Governing Body of the Technological University of the Shannon, former Chair of the Revenue Commissioners and former Chair of the Policing Authority; 

Ms Patricia King, former General Secretary of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and former Vice President of SIPTU; and 

Ms Julie Sinnamon, Chair of the Commission on the Defence Forces Implementation Oversight Group and former CEO of Enterprise Ireland.

Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Charlie Flanagan said: “We welcome the opportunity to meet for pre-legislative scrutiny of this Bill with representatives from the External Oversight Body (EOB) of the Defence Forces."

"The EOB was established in April 2023 following the report of the Independent Review Group on Dignity and Equality issues in the Defence Forces. The group has been set up on a non statutory basis to oversee the implementation of relevant recommendations of the Report, increase transparency and accountability in the Defence Forces, and to bring about necessary changes to the workplace culture and behaviour in the Defence Forces.  The Defence (Amendment) Bill 2023 will seek to establish a legislative basis for the EOB."

“We look forward to hearing the views of the Body on the relevant provisions and the scheme of the Bill."

Watch the meeting live here or on the Oireachtas smartphone app for Apple and Android.