Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Carroll MacNeill. I welcome the introduction of this Bill to the Seanad. It represents a crucial step in the ongoing reform of our Defence Forces by addressing some of the most pressing issues that have come to light in recent years. The establishment of an external oversight body for the Defence Forces is a particularly welcome development. The initiative was recommended by the independent review group that was tasked with examining allegations of discrimination, bullying, harassment, including sexual harassment, and any form of sexual misconduct within the Defence Forces. The introduction of this body is not just a response to those grave issues but a proactive step towards ensuring such behaviours are eradicated from our military culture.

The mission of the new oversight body is clear and commendable, as set out in the report of the independent review group. It is to "implement a successful culture change programme, led convincingly from the top, and including initiatives grounded in the vision of the future Defence Forces".This body will be pivotal in driving the cultural transformation needed to foster an environment of respect, integrity and accountability. It will bring about a new governance and oversight structure that will enhance transparency and hold the leadership of the Defence Forces to account for progress on this vital culture change programme.

It is, however, important to note a significant concern regarding the composition of the new oversight body already alluded to by the previous speakers. As it stands, none of the associations representing our defence personnel - PDFORRA, RACO, RDFRA or others - are guaranteed a seat at the table. They are not guaranteed a position. This omission is concerning because the perspectives and experience of these representative associations are invaluable in shaping policies that affect the members directly. There is nothing to suggest - there is everything to suggest the contrary - that these people would not take a logical, objective view of proceedings and would not share a desire to put the forces on a proper footing and to eliminate the dreadful cultural aspects we are trying to get rid of. In fact, I would have thought that the representative bodies would have an ownership, a desire, a real anxiety and an ambition, as is the case in other professional bodies, such as the INTO, the INMO and many others, for the very best of outcomes in order that they could project outwards in making demands for salary etc. and show a transparent and excellent force. Their input would be important. It would not obviate the prospects of other groupings or individuals being involved. It would in no way prejudice that. I welcome in that context, as I mentioned, that the Bill includes a framework to enhance and bring forward the representative bodies' association with ICTU.

I strongly urge the Minister to reconsider this aspect of the Bill. The inclusion of representatives from the representative associations on the oversight body would ensure that the voices of our defence personnel are heard and respected at the highest levels of decision-making. Surely we would want that for buy-in to the decisions of the body and for implementation, ownership, etc. It seems logical. It is wrong to suggest that they would be in some way negative or would seek to avoid reform. I think the contrary would be the case. Their insights are crucial to achieve the meaningful and lasting changes to which we all aspire.

The formation of this body is a decisive step towards fostering a safer and more respectful environment for all service members. The association must have a say because they are the most looped in with their members' lived experience. It seems wrong that they would not be involved. The strategic framework on the transformation of the Defence Forces, published in September 2023, has laid out an ambitious and comprehensive plan for immediate actions to support this transformation. The Defence (Amendment) Bill 2024 is a key component of this framework and is the first of two Bills aimed at amending the Defence Acts this year.

This Bill makes several necessary amendments to the Defence Acts 1954 to 2015. It establishes the external oversight body on a statutory basis and provides a statutory framework for the Minister for Defence to consent to military representatives associating with ICTU, which I have already welcomed and welcome in particular. It is an important step towards ensuring that the voices of Defence Forces members are heard within the wider labour movement. By affiliating with ICTU, our Defence Forces members will gain greater representation and influence, empowering them to advocate for their rights and working conditions more effectively, which should address some of the issues correctly identified by Senator McDowell in terms of numbers etc. and morale.It is important that they are at the coalface sorting that.

As we move forward with this Bill, I want us to keep in mind the ultimate goal of creating Defence Forces that not only meet the highest standards of military excellence but that also embody the values of respect, integrity and accountability. The Bill is a significant step in that direction, and I will support it. I am happy to know that the complaints procedure is going well and is being enhanced. It is important within the Defence Forces that there is an immediate, accessible and responsive complaints procedure. I gather there is progress in that regard.

There is reference in the Bill to a continuous professional development plan. This is crucial in addressing retention within the Army. I commend it as very necessary. The removal of the age restriction is important, as addressed in sections 8 and 9. People can be re-engaged in the Army and the Reserve Defence Force. I would certainly like to believe that the whole concept of age has moved on considerably. Our collective revulsion at what brought about this discussion - the abuse, gender inequality, bullying and all of that - merits stating at all times.

In the time remaining, I will address the matter raised by Senator McDowell. I have often raised the same matter in this House. I feel very strongly about it. I refer to the Reserve Defence Force. In the past, it was a wonderful exercise in patriotism. It inculcated civic spirit, leadership and all the right kind of values in young people and is a great outlet. It is an absolute shame that we have let it go. We need not just to aspire to it in some way but to actually do something about it. We need to make the medical checks quicker and we need a better advertising campaign in schools for recruitment to the Reserve Defence Force, which, as Senator McDowell said, will eliminate those 60-mile and 40-mile journeys for people volunteering in their spare time. It is absurd. We need more training opportunities and a proactive approach to developing the Reserve Defence Force. At a time when retention and recruitment into the Permanent Defence Force is difficult, surely that makes it necessary, as in the case of the Garda, to have a potential feeder organisation for the Army and, irrespective of that, a stand-alone defence body. The Reserve should be fit to engage in joint operations with the Permanent Defence Force. In some instances, there is no reason why its members could not go abroad with the Permanent Defence Force. There should be an attractive educational and personal development opportunity within the Reserve in order that it would be attractive to join. I have three young sons. Not one of them has ever suggested that they wished to join the Reserve. It should be an option that is, at a minimum, looked at. They are civic-minded and I would like to think they are patriotic. Surely they should see this as an option. I doubt they are even aware of it as an option. That is how bleak the situation is. This is very important. We need to deal with this matter too. We are in unanimous agreement on the thrust of the objectives.

Will the Tánaiste look at these two matters, namely the involvement of representative bodies in a statutory way and reform of and proper support for the Reserve Defence Force? I wish to get those two points across as being critical.