Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 218: To ask the Minister for Defence if he intends to examine the establishment of a compensation process and fund for members of the Defence Forces allegedly abused during their services to the State in view of the report that structures in the Defence Forces were very inadequate up to recent times to enable victims to complain and have their complaints independently investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9895/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Since January 1997, my Department has received 18 legal claims in relation to allegations of bullying and sexual harassment within the Defence Forces. Of these, 11 claims refer to alleged bullying, three of these claims have been settled and eight are outstanding. There were seven claims alleging sexual harassment, two of these are settled and five are outstanding.

Occasionally, correspondence is received in the Department from former members of the Defence Forces who served back as far as the 1940s. In a few cases, such correspondence may make some reference to an alleged incident of abuse within the Defence Forces. Every effort is made to examine these allegations very carefully. The person would also be advised to contact the Garda Síochána directly in the matter and to make a formal complaint.

The incidence of legal claims and other contacts would not suggest a requirement to establish a new compensation scheme or process. In common with all other citizens, members and former members of the Defence Forces enjoy the full rights of access to the courts.