Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 59: To ask the Minister for Defence if he has met PDFORRA representatives on their concerns regarding the victimisation of elected representatives which was raised at their recent annual conference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34422/07]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I would like to assure the House that any allegations of victimisation in the Defence Forces are treated with the utmost seriousness and there are extensive and robust complaints and grievance procedure processes in place to protect the rights of all Defence Forces personnel, including PDFORRA officials. In addition, on interpersonal relationships, the Defence Forces and the Department have taken a wide variety of initiatives and have devoted extensive resources to this issue, since Dr. Eileen Doyle and the External Advisory Committee presented their original report "The Challenge of a Workplace" in March 2002.

The ongoing implementation of the recommendations of the Doyle report has been one of the highest priorities for the Defence Forces and the Department since its publication. I am satisfied that the military authorities are alert and vigilant to this issue and are committed to addressing the matter in a continuing and proactive manner through educational modules on interpersonal relationships which are now embedded in career courses for all ranks. As I have stated previously my commitment and that of the Chief of Staff to addressing issues around interpersonal contact is well known.

I have asked my Departmental Officials to engage with PDFORRA to review the application of existing procedures to ensure that they can be used to the fullest extent to address any issues that may arise.