Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Tuesday, 23 September 2025

Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombudsmen

Engagement with the Office of the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces

2:00 am

Mr. Justice Alan Mahon:

I would have no difficulty if some formula could be found to facilitate people who have those sorts of complaints. I would have a slight preference for a time limit. The 12-month limit is simple, as it would be if it were extended to 18 months. Section 114 of the Defence Act provides for a system for internal investigation. There is no time limit to that.