Ms Julie Sinnamon:

I fully understand the frustrations of the committee. The 130 recommendations in the commission's report and the issues that need to be addressed are essential and the word "urgent" is important. I refer to a sense of urgency in respect of the speed at which this endeavour is undertaken. The Minister, I believe, in terms of his commitment to the legislative requirements to implement this process, is on the record publicly and has stated on several occasions this must happen. I believe, from the dialogue I have had with him, and having heard and read the statements he has made on the subject, that this is something he is totally committed to. This is something that is important. I refer as well to the importance of the early actions and that we are sitting here now and three of these early actions have not been completed. There is a very good reason, however, that these have not happened. It is a result of the IRG report and of needing to ensure that one aspect does not go ahead of the other. There is an implementation plan, which must be comprehensive. We cannot go out to tender for consultancies to support it without knowing exactly what the parameters of that implementation plan will be.

From my direct dealings with the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces, through the IOG and the high-level steering group, I believe this plan is being given the priority it needs in terms of delivery, including undertaking change and transformative change at the level set out in the original commission report. If we then also take into consideration the implementation of recommendations arising from the IRG report, to which the Minister has again indicated his commitment, the important thing here is that this change does happen. Between the high-level steering group, the IOG and the external oversight body arising from the IRG report, there will be a great deal of focus on ensuring real change happens and the Defence Forces get the commitment and the funding they need. This has been committed up to the LOA2 and 2028 is the associated timetable for this to be achieved in the budget set out.

Based on the first year we have seen, there has been a significant increase. Budgets to date have been delivered for the first year of this process. The quick wins in terms of making progress include addressing the pay issues we talked about. Medical insurance was another important aspect. In recent weeks as well, the Minister brought into the House the command-and-control changes in this regard. This process is now starting. There is a vast array of complex issues on which we have seen progress made relative to many other projects. It is frustrating they are not complete, but at the same time a great deal of progress has been made. These building blocks have been put in place. This implementation plan, scheduled to be completed by the end of the second quarter, which is the end of June, is very important. This is what I as the independent chair will be holding the system accountable for in respect of the specific actions and timeframes, which will include this year, next year and right up to 2028.