Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There are many questions there. The independent contact person is in place. The importance of that person is to provide a service that is professionally delivered but also confidential so people can feel they are speaking in confidence to somebody who can take on board their concerns. That person will make a report to me as Minister but will not identify people by name. That is the way it should be so that I am aware if there are issues arising in the Defence Forces, or for people who have left the Defence Forces, because that confidential contact person is available for former members as well. We have monitored and continue to monitor the adequacy of that service.

On the terms of reference, there are draft terms of reference which have been shared with key stakeholders. The terms of reference have not been finalised yet because we want to get feedback from people before we do that. We want this to be an inclusive process to ensure the terms of reference are something people can trust and believe in and which they are happy with. Likewise, we want to ensure we get the make-up of the review group right in terms of there being an international contribution to that and a chairperson who will have the credibility and trust to be able to do a very sensitive piece of work.

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