Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 1184: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the policy to deal with bullying in his Department; if same has been circulated to all employees; if there are outstanding law cases regarding the issue by employees; if cases were dealt with or settled since 1 January 2000, and, if so, the number of same; if his Department has legislation dealing with the issue of bullying or plans to introduce such legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1912/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The policy for dealing with bullying in the Civil Service is set out in the revised policy document entitled, A Positive Working Environment: an Anti-Harassment, Sexual Harassment and Bullying Policy for the Civil Service. This policy was circulated to all staff in my Department in August 2005 prior to the new code becoming effective on 1 September 2005. My Department endeavours to resolve all allegations of bullying under the code, without the necessity of recourse to legal proceedings. I am aware of one case where legal proceedings have been initiated.

The question of legislation in this area falls with the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. On this point, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment recently published the report of the expert advisory group on workplace bullying which made a number of recommendations including the possibility of introducing legislation in this area. It also recommended that new research be carried out to update the research compiled for the 2001 report of the task force on the prevention of workplace bullying.