Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I propose an amendment to the Order of Business to have the Minister for Defence, An Taoiseach, brought before the House. This is not because I like to pull a stunt. There is a very serious situation about a lieutenant-colonel in the Defence Forces who had applied for promotion to the rank of colonel and was unsuccessful in the competition. Subsequently it was found that the marks awarded to some of the candidates were incorrectly awarded, and as a result, the lieutenant-colonel was not promoted when he should have been. He had to retire at the age of 58 which meant this man lost out on the rank of colonel salary, pension and gratuity. He could have become the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces at some stage. However, the matter has been ongoing and the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces made a ruling on it. The ombudsman received a letter from the Department in which it states:

I have carefully considered your observations on the case. I do accept there may have been a level of ambiguity and lack of transparency surrounding the award of length of service remarks to candidates in the promotion competition and this is regrettable.

It goes on to state that in regard to the suggestion that a further gesture be offered to this particular lieutenant-colonel: "I am advised it would not be policy nor practice to offer same based on the findings of your office." We are talking about a man who has served this country in the Lebanon and Iraq. He was the last Irish officer to leave Iraq before that country became a war zone. He was the last Irish officer in the Lebanon when it closed down some years ago. The man has an exemplary distinguished record. He was hard done by and wronged in a promotional competition. The ombudsman found in his favour but there is somebody in the Department of Defence turning around and saying the Department does not agree and it will not look after this guy.

On the right of any Minister are the officials advising that Minister. On the left of the Minister is the ombudsman, who is there to advise when a wrong has been done. This man has been dealt the most horrendous blow to his distinguished military career. I regret having to ask the Leader to bring the Taoiseach before the Seanad today. If he cannot do it, I ask him to arrange a debate on the function and role of ombudsmen generally in this country and in particular, the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces. I am really appalled by this.