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

I thank Deputy Gino Kenny for raising this question as it gives me an opportunity to put on the record of the House where we are in this regard.

This is a very serious issue from my perspective that we are trying to deal with comprehensively.

As the Deputy will be aware, I am committed to ensuring every member of the Defence Forces is able to carry out his or her duties in a workplace underpinned by dignity and equality. The judge-led independent review group, which I established last January following Government approval, is examining the systems, policies and procedures for dealing with issues relating to bullying, discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual misconduct in the Defence Forces as well as the prevailing workplace culture. I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that this review is a necessary and critical first step to address the need for a safe work environment for serving members, with zero tolerance for such unacceptable behaviour. The serving members of the Defence Forces expect nothing less.

I have received nine updates from the independent review group, including when it asked for a fourth member to assist it in completing its work. This request was approved. In line with the terms of the review, I have also been briefed via an interim report and at the request of the group, although this report will not be published given the group’s work is not complete. It would be inappropriate, therefore, for me to discuss this interim report. The work of the independent review group is entirely independent, in keeping with the terms of reference. The group has full independence and autonomy to undertake its body of work under its chair, Ms Justice Bronagh O’Hanlon.

I assure the Deputy that the work of the group is ongoing and the final report is expected to be submitted to me before the end of the year, in line with the terms of reference. The terms of reference for the review are wide-ranging and provide that the Government may consider further work on receipt of the independent review findings. As I said, I am eager for this work to conclude and I reiterate that the final report will be brought to the Government before being published. I look forward to the report forming the basis of the next stage of actions to deal with this issue.

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