Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)

The feedback I am receiving from certain elements of the Defence Forces is that the content of the patients charter has not been communicated to all the rank and file members. Will the Minister ensure that this is done? Will he appoint some high-ranking offices to take charge of the implementation of the patients charter? This seems to make sense. The charter is just not displayed at doctors' surgeries and other locations in the barracks around the country. I am sure it is possible to make its content known to every member of the Defence Forces by letter. Some time ago, the Minister sent a communication to everyone in the country about the national emergency plan and, therefore, it should be possible to communicate the content of the patients charter to the 13,000 military personnel in the Defence Forces. Some years ago, the content of the dignity charter was communicated and displayed widely. The same should apply to the patients charter.

Is there a commitment in the patients charter that every member of the Defence Forces will have a medical check in the course of any given year? I understand there is,. but last year approximately 2,000 personnel did not have a medical check.

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