Commandant Jayne Lawlor:

I might be able to shed some light on it. Following the revelations in 2001, the Defence Forces instigated at the time what was called the independent monitoring group review. We were the first public sector body to bring in an independent outside group into the Defence Forces to examine all our policies, plans and training. They visited institutions and took a real root-and-branch look at the Defence Forces. It was chaired by a renowned academic, Dr. Eileen Doyle. Once the report on that was published there were a number of recommendations and we have implemented all those recommendations.

The IMG was then invited in a second time five years later to see if we had implemented the recommendations made and the findings were generally very positive at that stage that we had made changes. There is currently a third iteration of the IMG, whose report is due shortly.

What have we done on the ground to change it? We have what is called our administrative instruction A7. It is a very robust, anti-bullying and harassment policy. We have a number of different measures in place. We have what are called DCPs, designated contact personnel. We have those at the lowest levels. We are talking about trying to look at conflict resolution at the lowest level. We have qualified mediators; so we now have mediation services within the Defence Forces, as well as the official formal and informal complaints procedure. We have a very robust system in place. That is what we have done.

In addition everyone who comes into the Defence Forces is fully briefed on that. There is no point in having a robust system if people do not know about it and how to approach it. That is part of what we do. We have an induction handbook and lectures, and everyone is aware of the anti-bullying and harassment procedures and policies. There is zero tolerance. Dignity in the workplace charters are evident everywhere we work.

Regarding the second part of the Deputy's question about the US Army, I agree there are alarming statistics. Having worked with the Americans in Afghanistan very recently, I found that much of it comes down to the fact that the American women do not have equality; they are not allowed to be front-line soldiers. Therefore they are seen in many respects by the American male soldiers as not being equals. It is very important, therefore, that we retain that equal status, as many Western nations do. However, many militaries do not. It is something to which we should hold onto tight.

The Deputy's final question was about the British system. Allegations are dealt with internally through our complaints procedure, formal and informal. We also have the Office of Ombudsman for the Defence Forces, which is obviously an external agency. However, courts martial have taken place for inappropriate sexual behaviour. It is not something we try to sweep under the carpet. It is something that exists. They are out in the open - the courts martial are public. People have been brought to justice over any possible allegations.