Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Thursday, 20 January 2022
Committee on Public Petitions
Annual Reports from 2017 to 2020 and Related Matters: Ombudsman for the Defence Forces
Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)
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I welcome Mr. Justice Mahon to the meeting and thank him for his work. I commend him on his proactivity in his addressing the backlog and in his handling of his role. The civilian Ombudsman for the Defence Forces, ODF, is one that works very well.
In the context of where the Chair started from regarding the Women of Honour, I understand from Mr. Justice Mahon's presentation to us and researching that there is a 12-month window of opportunity to make a complaint. Is that within 12 months of the actual event or within 12 months of becoming aware of the action? Is there merit in changing that time period or is there a particular reason that period should remain at 12 months?