Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

I thank Deputy McGinley for his kind words of congratulations. As to how short or long a time I will be in the Cabinet, I cannot say. However, it is great to have reached this point and, as the former British Chancellor of the Exchequer, Denis Healy, said, "it is always better to be a has-been than a never-was".

I agree with Deputy McGinley that the problem to which he referred is ongoing. A number of improvements have been made since the original administrative instruction in 2002 but the problem continues to dog the Defence Forces. While a lot has been done, to paraphrase a certain election manifesto, a lot more needs to be done. A number of initiatives are in place which will improve the situation considerably.

The direct contact persons are the subject of a question from Deputy Sherlock and I will give details of their specific responsibilities in my reply to him. We will take Committee Stage of the Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Bill 2002 in the Seanad tomorrow. The ombudsman will have a very meaningful role. He or she will replace the Minister for Defence, or the CIO as is the case at present, as the final court of appeal. Individual members of PDFORRA whom I met last week brought to my attention the fear experienced by some members of enlisted personnel about making a complaint. They are worried about whether such a complaint would be held against them and used to punish them at some time in the future. I am anxious to get around that issue. The 200 designated contact persons will have a vital role to play in that regard. In addition, any attempt to punish or penalise any enlisted person who makes a complaint will be an offence which will be subject to military discipline.

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