Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 75: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will report on the way in which bullying is dealt with in the Defence Forces; and the number of confirmed cases there have been in the past year. [6878/05]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Dr. Eileen Doyle and the external advisory committee presented their report, The Challenge of a Workplace, in March 2002. This independent report addressed the range of interpersonal issues for the Defence Forces. Its contents and recommendations were accepted in full.

Implementation of the recommendations of the report has been one of the highest priorities for the Defence Forces and my Department since its publication. An independent monitoring group was established in May 2002 to oversee the implementation of these recommendations. The independent monitoring group's progress report, Response to the Challenge of a Workplace, launched by my predecessor on 24 September 2004, is available on the Defence Forces website and describes in detail the progress achieved since the publication of the original Doyle report in 2002.

Arising from the Doyle report, the following steps have been taken. Firm guiding principles have been set out in the Defence Forces "Dignity in the Workplace" charter. A major educational awareness programme throughout the Defence Forces is ongoing. A new administrative instruction on interpersonal relationships was introduced in March 2003 and a user's guide distributed to every member of the Defence Forces. Some 177 of a planned 200 designated contact persons have been put in place throughout the organisation to facilitate the operation of the formal and informal procedures that may be used by any party wishing to institute a complaint. An independent external confidential free phone helpline and counselling service was set up for members of the Permanent Defence Force in March 2003. An independent pilot project of exit interviews seeking the experiences and views of outgoing members of the Defence Forces was conducted. Leadership training has been given by external experts and has been the subject of NCO focus groups with emphasis on training the trainers. Changes in cadet school instruction have been initiated and issues concerning the ranking, selection and training for cadet school instructors are being addressed. Defence Forces regulations, administrative instructions, policies and procedures have been reviewed by an equality steering group under a Labour Court chairperson. Legislation to establish a Defence Forces Ombudsman completed all stages in 2004.

The chief of staff has repeatedly emphasised his acceptance of the problems indicated by the Doyle report.

Additional information not given on the floor of the House.

He has recognised the necessity to tackle this matter in a fundamental way at all levels of the Defence Forces and has demonstrated an active and genuine commitment to change. He has emphasised that it is incumbent on all commanders to ensure that best practice in the management of personnel is fostered at all levels to eliminate the problems identified in the Doyle report.

Policies on equality, dignity and bullying are constantly being communicated to all ranks. I am satisfied that the military authorities are alert and vigilant on this issue and are committed to addressing the matter in a continuing and proactive manner through education modules on interpersonal relationships now embedded in career courses for all ranks.

Bullying is not training for anything. I realise that the project of bringing about necessary fundamental changes in attitudes and culture will not be quick or easy. However, with substantial and vigorous leadership, I have every confidence that the proper environment will be firmly established and maintained throughout the Defence Forces.

The military authorities advise that since the revised procedures on the conduct of interpersonal relationships in the Defence Forces were introduced in March 2003, eight complaints of unacceptable behaviour have been formally initiated in the Defence Forces. Five of these cases were proven to be unfounded. One case was upheld and the person complained of had disciplinary action taken against him. There are two cases under investigation. I cannot comment on these further at this stage, as they have not concluded.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Minister for his response. Is he aware of the serious allegations by members of the Defence Forces that bullying is widespread? Is he aware of the recent serious allegations of bullying and intimidation by members of the Defence Forces, particularly against female soldiers? These allegations must be confronted. Citizens do not want a cover-up on this issue. What exactly is the role of senior officers in these cases? Is the Minister aware of the suffering of junior members, particularly female members, of the Defence Forces? It is a nightmare for many of them, especially for those who wish to serve in the Defence Forces in the future.

Does the Minister now accept the need for an independent inquiry to deal with bullying in the Defence Forces? Is it good enough to have cases of intimidation, bullying and abuse in the Army being investigated by the Defence Forces? I welcome the establishment of the independent monitoring group. What is its composition? There cannot be a cover-up of bullying in the Defence Forces. Is the Minister aware that these cases of bullying and intimidation will discourage young people from joining the Defence Forces in future? Many of them wish to serve at United Nations level. I put particular emphasis on female soldiers who wish to have a career in the Defence Forces. These allegations are doing serious damage to the Army. Will the Minister act immediately on these matters?

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The chairperson of the independent monitoring group is Dr. Eileen Doyle who composed the original report. The members include the deputy chief of staff, the assistant secretary of the Department of Defence, the general secretary of PDFORRA and the general secretary of RACO, the representative organisations of enlisted personnel and officers.

Everybody is aware of allegations. We read the newspapers, although I do not believe everything I read in them.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Minister writes many articles himself.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Apart from those. The final part of my reply puts the issue in context. Since the revised procedures for making complaints were introduced in March 2003, eight complaints of unacceptable behaviour have been formally initiated in the Defence Forces. Five of these cases were proven to be unfounded. One case was upheld and the person complained of had disciplinary action taken against him. Two cases are under investigation and I cannot discuss them in detail.

I believe Deputy McGrath was referring to the allegations relating to McKee Barracks. Certain female staff members have alleged bullying. That is one of the cases being investigated and the investigation is coming towards a conclusion. There was another high profile case recently, again involving a female recruit. That case was investigated by the military authorities and a conclusion was reached. I wish to be as transparent and informative as possible but I do not wish to discuss that case because the recruit in question has now consulted a solicitor and put the matter into the legal domain. I am precluded from discussing the internal Army investigation.

It will no longer be a question of nemo iudex in sua causa; the Army will not be investigating itself. There are procedures in place but, ultimately, people will have recourse to an independent ombudsman. Some people who complained in the past of bullying in the Army did not use the internal complaints procedures for one reason or another but decided to go to the courts. That is their entitlement.

I am confident the changes we have put in place since 2002 have considerably improved the atmosphere in the Army. To provide reassurance, however, we have ensured that in early 2007 there will be another examination of what improvements have been put in place since the monitoring committee reported last September.