Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is an external oversight body in respect of the Defence Forces. It would not be appropriate to have a member of the Defence Forces there. That is not casting aspersions on anybody or any organisation. I regret the focus from the military community in respect of the fact the Secretary General of the Department is part of it. That is not fair or reasonable. There is a logic to it, by the way. As someone who has experienced this in government for quite a long time and at different times in my political career, I understand how one has to have that link with administration to deliver recommendations and make sure they happen. It is a crucial link to the oversight body to have the office of the Secretary General, irrespective of the person. Otherwise an oversight body could be batting off a haystack. There has to be accountability in terms of what is identified as change that is required and an assurance that change is being delivered. I surmise that is why the independent review group recommended the Secretary General would be on this group.

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