Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy's question refers to the provision of 200 designated contact persons within the Defence Forces as an integral part of the new, revised military grievance procedures. A need was identified for the putting in place of contact persons within the Defence Forces organisation in line with recognised best practice. The aim of the designated contact persons is to provide a voluntary informal resource for personnel who may wish to discuss an incident of alleged bullying or harassment.

An external civilian consultant was sourced to devise the informal complaints procedure under the new revised administrative instruction A7. She also designed and delivered an appropriate training programme for those who were selected for training as designated contact persons.

Some 200 specially trained designated contact persons are being put in place throughout the organisation to facilitate the operation of the new informal complaints procedures. Some 80 are already trained and a strategic plan is in place to develop the numbers up to 200. Some 170 trained designated contact persons will be in place before Christmas. It is important to note that only personnel who have successfully undergone the necessary special training will become DCPs. This team of DCPs will be professionally supported over time by a consultative team, including the external civilian consultant previously referred to who has wide professional experience and expertise in this area.

The role of the DCP is focused on confidential listening; providing a supportive environment; empowering the individual; providing information; assisting the individual and empathising without judgment. The DCP is not a mediator or negotiator as such. The DCP does not function in the role of an active counsellor, investigator or professional advice provider.

The original Doyle report was published in 2002. The report found that 27% of survey respondents perceived themselves as having experienced bullying within the Defence Forces. This figure was notably higher at approximately 70% for female respondents from the lower enlisted ranks. Some 30% of respondents overall perceived themselves as having experienced harassment. The somewhat higher figure of 35% related to females, and the marginally lower figure of 27% related to males.

My predecessor had secured significant progress and notable achievements over the past two years, since the publication of the Doyle report, in openly addressing and fundamentally tackling this issue. The provision of DCPs is yet another component part of that continuing strategy of active response to the findings and recommendations of the Doyle report.

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