Written answers

Tuesday, 28 March 2006

Department of Defence

Defence Forces Investigations

11:00 pm

Photo of Seymour CrawfordSeymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 44: To ask the Minister for Defence the changes that have been made to internal Defence Force procedures following the publication of the investigation into the death of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11833/06]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 62: To ask the Minister for Defence the situation with respect to the investigation into the death of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11850/06]

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 70: To ask the Minister for Defence the progress made following the February 2006 publication of the Hurley report into the interaction between persons (details supplied), the Defence Forces and his Department; if he has received a report from the gardaí following their re-examination of files relating to this case; if a decision on a full inquiry has subsequently been made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11780/06]

Photo of John PerryJohn Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 96: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will report on the recent meeting with persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11825/06]

Photo of Willie O'DeaWillie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 44, 62, 70 and 96 together.

On 28 October 2005, I appointed Mr. Sean Hurley to carry out an independent review of the interaction between the Department of Defence-Defence Forces and parents and family of Private Kevin Barrett in the aftermath of his tragic death on 18 February 1999 while serving with the 84th infantry battalion in Lebanon.

I received Mr. Hurley's report on 2 February 2006. Mr. Hurley has conducted a very thorough inquiry and has provided a detailed and frank report. It is clear and concise and covers the issues raised with me by Private Barrett's family. Mr. Hurley has looked in detail at how the Department and the Defence Forces interacted with the Barrett family after Kevin's death and has identified some clear failings and shortcomings. Important lessons have been learned for the future and errors that have occurred in the handling of this tragic case, outlined by Mr. Hurley, must never be repeated. Mr. Hurley acknowledges that some of these have since been addressed in the new guidelines for dealing with bereaved families introduced by the Defence Forces in 2001.

Since the publication of Mr. Hurley's report, the recommendations and conclusions in relation to procedural and operational issues have been considered by the Defence Forces to see how they might best be implemented. The military authorities have undertaken a review of the guidelines for dealing with bereaved families in the light of Mr. Hurley's recommendations. I am advised that while there is no proposal to further amend the current arrangements, which were introduced in 2001 following a comprehensive review, the guidelines are being kept under continuous review.

In addition, Defence Forces standard operating procedures in relation to the investigation, reporting and handling of such incidents are also being reviewed to take account of the various other recommendations in the report and any changes deemed necessary will be incorporated into Defence Forces administrative instructions and directives. Finally, the role of the attending medical officer in relation to the conduct of autopsies conducted outside the jurisdiction is also being reviewed to see how this might be implemented, having regard to the fact that the medical officer may have no standing in the foreign jurisdiction.

Separate from these issues, on receipt of Mr. Hurley's report, I contacted the Garda Commissioner and asked him to provide me with his early views in relation to any possible assistance that the Garda Síochána might be in a position to provide. A Garda officer has since been assigned to the case and is currently examining my Department's and the Defence Forces files in the case with a view to determining whether the gardaí can provide any assistance in the matter. Liaison arrangements have been set up between the gardaí and the Defence Forces.

On 8 March 2006, my colleague, the Minister of State at the Department of Defence, Deputy Kitt, at my request, met the parents of the late Private Barrett. This meeting had been arranged with the family after they had sufficient time to consider Mr. Hurley's report and to outline to them the actions I had taken to date. The Minister of State took the opportunity to personally thank the parents and family, on my behalf and on his own behalf, for their patience and co-operation in the preparation of the review. The Minister of State repeated my apology to the Barrett family for the pain and suffering they endured following Kevin's tragic death. He updated the parents on the status of my request to the Garda Commissioner. He promised that my Department would co-operate fully with the gardaí and facilitate them in whatever way it could in their examination. It was agreed that a further meeting would be held with the family when I have further information. In the meantime, the family will be kept informed of any developments.

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