Gerard Murphy (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 54: To ask the Minister for Defence the position regarding steps to eradicate bullying and harassment from the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17521/05]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Dr. Eileen Doyle and the external advisory committee presented their report, The Challenge of a Workplace, in March 2002. That independent report addressed the range of interpersonal issues within 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 those 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 is ongoing throughout the Defence Forces. A new administrative instruction on interpersonal relationships was introduced in March 2003. The instruction and a user's guide were 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. A course to qualify further personnel will be held in June 2005.

An independent external confidential "free phone" helpline and counselling service was set up for members of the Permanent Defence Forces in March 2003. An independent pilot project of exit interviews seeking the experiences and views of outgoing members of the Permanent 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. The position of Defence Forces Ombudsman is currently being advertised and the closing date for applications is 9 June 2005. An officer in the Defence Forces human resources management section has been assigned responsibility for equality matters.

The chief of staff has repeatedly emphasised his acceptance of the problems indicated by the Doyle report. He has recognised the necessity to tackle this matter in a fundamental way at all levels of the Defence Forces and has demonstrated a very 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 to this issue and 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.

I wish to reiterate that bullying is not training for anything. I fully 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.