Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Tuesday, 15 October 2024
Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence
Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces: Engagement with Chair of Implementation Oversight Group
3:10 pm
Ms Julie Sinnamon:
As I said earlier, culture change is hard and takes time. When culture change is in the public eye, it exacerbates the negative coverage. I have met people in the Defence Forces who are upset at the public image and I have met other people who are very upset because their lived experience is something they are looking to have changed, so it is not easy. In any change project, I believe in putting a spotlight on the successes. There are lots of initiatives that have been carried out within the Defence Forces. When people are beginning to see that change is happening, it is about making sure it is reported and communicating the positives and the things that are happening that are making life better. When people in the Defence Forces are saying things are different, this must be the story. The communication of it is something that is really important internally first, but the external media have a part to play in it as well. Everybody has a role to play in reporting the good news when there is evidence to show it is actually making a difference.
No comments