Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 11 together.

The Defence Forces and the Department have taken a wide variety of initiatives and have devoted extensive resources to this issue since Dr. Eileen Doyle and the external advisory committee presented their original report, The Challenge of a Workplace, in March 2002. This independent report addressed the entire range of interpersonal issues within the Defence Forces. Its contents and recommendations were accepted in full.

An independent monitoring group was established in May 2002 to oversee the implementation of the recommendations of the original Doyle report. The independent monitoring group's own progress report, Response to the Challenge of a Workplace, which was launched by my predecessor, former Deputy Michael Smith, on 24 September 2004, is available on the Defence Forces website and describes in great detail the very significant progress achieved since the publication of the original Doyle report in 2002.

An internal military steering group, chaired by the Assistant Chief of Staff and comprising the director of administration, director of human resources management and director of Defence Forces training, oversees the implementation of all the recommendations of Response to the Challenge of a Workplace.

The ongoing implementation of the recommendations of the Doyle report has been one of the highest priorities for the Defence Forces and the Department since its publication. Policies on equality, dignity and bullying are being constantly communicated to all ranks. I am satisfied that the military authorities are alert and vigilant to this issue and are committed to addressing the matter in a continuing and proactive manner through educational modules on interpersonal relationships which, as I stated earlier, are now embedded in career courses for all ranks.

The independent monitoring group recommended that a professional review of progress within the Defence Forces should take place in 2007 and that it should be published. The report also suggested that a group representative of military management, PDFORRA, RACO, the Department of Defence and external expertise should conduct such a review.

I agree there should be a review of progress. I can confirm that my Department is currently concentrating on the terms of reference for such a review. The next phase, involving the key players, will be launched shortly.

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