Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Unfortunately the members of PDFORRA do not share the Minister's analysis of the situation because at their conference they talked about the role of the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces being downgraded to a part-time role and being a mere "nixer". They talk about the Department not taking the Office of the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces seriously and consequently not being serious about the welfare of members of the Defence Forces. I expect the Minister to dispute that, but he should also accept that there is genuine concern at such a dramatic reduction in an office that has been very effective in its remit since it was established in 2004. It is very difficult to understand the dramatic decline between 2010 when there were 110 cases and the mere 32 cases referred to the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces in 2011. It is very hard to understand that rapid turnabout and decline in numbers.

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