Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

I also thank Senators, particularly Government and Opposition spokespersons, for their extremely constructive contributions. I was impressed by the contrast between the reality of an operational military situation and the ordinary civilian employment setting. These are two entirely different situations and the Bill had to be finely honed to achieve that balance correctly. I believe we have done the best possible job in this regard.

I thank the representative organisations for their constructive input into the legislation. Reference has been made to the independent role of the ombudsman. I took the decision that the Government would not appoint this person but that the appointment would be made the Civil Service Commission. My recommendation was readily accepted by the Government. As Senators Leyden and Minihan have said, this person will represent the Defence Forces. We are creating an ombudsman for the members of the Defence Forces. There will be no question of a political appointment. The ombudsman will be entirely independent in the performance of his or her duties.

In conjunction with the other reforms in the Defence Forces this Bill will make a real difference. I thank everyone for their contributions to the debate.