Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 785: To ask the Minister for Defence the number of reports commissioned in his Department to date in the years 2002 to date in 2008; the reason for each report; the cost of each report; the person who carried out the report; the duration for each report; the date each report was finished or launched; the number that have been implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27601/08]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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The information requested by the Deputy is outlined as follows:

2002 — A Report on The Nature and Extent of any Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination and Sexual Harassment in The Defence Forces was commissioned (the 'Doyle Report'). The report was drawn up under the aegis of a Group chaired by Dr. Eileen Doyle. The Group also included civil servants from the Department of Defence as well as members of the Defence Forces. The cost of report was €63,000.

2004 — Report from an Independent Monitoring Group, which was set up to give effect to the recommendations of the Doyle Report concerning Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination and Sexual Harassment in The Defence Forces. This Group was also chaired by Dr. Eileen Doyle and included civil servants from the Department of Defence as well as members of the Defence Forces. The cost of report was €161,259.

The Independent Monitoring Group was re-constituted in February 2008 to review progress with the implementation of the recommendations of both Reports. The group is working under the chairmanship of Dr. Doyle and includes representatives of military management, the Defence Forces Representative Associations and the Department. It is expected that the report of the group will be completed before the end of the year.

2005 — 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, the cost of which was €12,641.03. The full report was published on my Department's website on 6 February 2006. Following the publication of Mr Hurley's report, the recommendations and conclusions in relation to procedural and operational issues were considered by the Defence Forces to see how they might best be implemented. The military authorities undertook 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, standard operating procedures in relation to the investigation, reporting and handling of such incidents were reviewed to take account of the various other recommendations in the report.

2005/2006 — The Office of Emergency Planning commissioned a Public Attitude Survey, which was conducted by Millward Brown, IMS. The cost of the survey was €30,912. The purpose of the survey was to carry out a market research programme into public attitudes and awareness of emergency planning in Ireland.

2006 — The Office of Emergency Planning requested Grayling Communications Consultants to devise a Communications Strategy on the approach to be taken by Government in its public information and awareness campaign on Emergency Planning. The campaign was subsequently launched in April 2008. The cost of developing the strategy was €14,520.

2007 — Following a tendering process TNS MRBI an independent market research company was awarded the contract to undertake research into the issue of Recruitment And Retention Of Women In The Defence Forces. The research tested women's attitudes to military life and a career in the Defence Forces. The cost incurred was €47,746.60. I launched the report on 5 April 2007. The results of this market research will assist in the formulation of policy and practice in this area for the future.

2008 — Following a tendering process PA Consultant Group was awarded the contract to make recommendations on the best means of meeting the medical requirements of the Defence Forces. The contract was awarded in June 2008 and the estimated cost of this review is €95,000 excluding VAT. The consultancy will focus on the sustainable provision of the relevant medical expertise and services to the Defence Forces.

The first phase, which is a review of the current and future requirements in relation to medical services, has already started. It is expected the report will be delivered before the end of the year.