Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 79: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of cases of alleged bullying which are under investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6723/05]

Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 124: To ask the Minister for Defence if the latest public statement by a female recruit of Army bullying is accurate; his Department's policy on bullying; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6757/05]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 131: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will report on the efforts being taken by him to tackle bullying and harassment in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6733/05]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 79, 114, 124 and 131 together.

My previous reply on this subject detailed the comprehensive measures which have been taken since Dr. Eileen Doyle and the external advisory committee presented their report, The Challenge of a Workplace, in March 2002. The contents and recommendations of the report were accepted in full.

The military authorities advise that since the revised procedures regarding the conduct of interpersonal relationships in the Defence Forces were introduced in March 2003, eight complaints of unacceptable behaviour have been formally initiated. Five of these were proven to be unfounded. One case was upheld and the person complained of had disciplinary action taken against him. There are two cases currently under investigation so I do not want to comment in detail on those.

I am aware of the recent public comments by a former female recruit. However, because the recruit in question has had access to a solicitor, the solicitor has informed the Department of the intention to put this into the legal domain. I am, therefore, constrained in what I can say about this case.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Does the Minister agree that due to the nature of the employment and training, the Defence Forces are susceptible to the allegation of bullying and that the concept of bullying has been prevalent right across society but only in recent times has received publicity? Having served in the Defence Forces for almost 20 years, I believe that there is no more bullying there than in any other walk of life.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I agree. How the Defence Forces operate is predicated on the simple assumption that lawful orders must be obeyed. Accordingly, the discipline in the Defence Forces not just in this country but elsewhere in the world is different from the relationship between a manager and employee of a factory or office. Sometimes, what might be reasonably interpreted as bullying in the workplace would not necessarily be so interpreted in the Army. There is a fine line there.

The Doyle report indicated that an alarming number of Army personnel, particularly female recruits, felt themselves to be the victims of bullying, harassment and so on, but it is significant that since March 2003, two years ago, we have had only eight complaints. It was at that time that the procedures were simplified and everyone was informed about them. A new regulation was also introduced to the effect that attempting to punish someone because he or she made a complaint was an offence subject to immediate discipline. Since then, only eight complaints have been received through the normal channels and five of those were found to be basically unfounded.

A confidential telephone helpline service was introduced in 2003 and a number of calls have been made to it. However, my information is that the number who call to allege bullying is quite small, in single figures. I agree with Deputy Timmins, some confusion surrounds the situation.

Bullying is not training for anything. If anyone feels bullied or feels reason for complaint in the Army, clear procedures exist to deal with such cases and all have been repeatedly informed of those procedures. No one can use the excuse that they did not know where to go or who to turn to or to talk to.

Joe Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Arising from Question No. 114, has the Minister's attention been drawn to recent comments from a person (details supplied) that bullying is rife in the military despite the launch by the Defence Forces of an anti-bullying campaign? The question arose some time ago of people perhaps being afraid to complain of bullying, but the question which now arises is why, if no problem exists regarding bullying in the Army, the matter is being raised so frequently.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Without wanting to be flippant about the matter, it is analogous to crime in Limerick. When a crime of a particular nature takes place in Limerick, everyone is keen to talk about it. The same crime would not attract the same attention in Cork, Waterford, Galway, Blessington or elsewhere. It is basically a sexy story. If someone says "Oh my goodness, I was in the Irish Army, was bullied relentlessly, was made undergo all sorts of embarrassing procedures and had to do this, that and the other", that is a big, sexy story. The tabloids go crazy for stuff like that.

I am aware of the allegations to which Deputy Sherlock refers. However, without prejudicing the outcome of legal proceedings and in the interest of the recruit herself, the case was investigated under instruction A7, which is the new instruction setting out the complaints procedures, remedies, etc. All the relevant procedures were followed and it was found there was no case to answer. The recruit does not accept that, which is her right. She has engaged a solicitor who is taking the matter to court and we will see where it goes from there.

However, a confidential telephone line was provided and almost 200 people were recruited to hold "clinics" with members of the Defence Forces, 8,500 of whom are ordinary members. This presented a clear opportunity to those who had a complaint and it was communicated to everybody. A regulation is in place where a person who tries to interfere with a complainant is immediately subject to disciplinary procedures, which is a powerful disincentive. However, since 2003 only eight people have come forward and made allegations, despite all the reports in newspapers. The newspaper reports are one thing, but the reality on the ground can often be quite different. Only one complaint was upheld and five were found to be groundless. Apart from the female recruit to whom I referred, the others have accepted the result and they have not pursued court cases.

I wonder about the accuracy of the continuing reports of widespread bullying. Although I do not doubt people had this perception in 2002 I do not know whether it was the reality. However, given what has happened since, the lack of complaints indicates the problem is not as widespread as we have been led to believe by certain sections of the media.