Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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1728. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to accept the proposal by the Defence Forces Ombudsman to allow for consultation and interaction with his office at the investigation officer’s report stage, on either a formal or informal basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1068/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The Office of the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces was established as an independent statutory office, under the Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Act 2004. The Ombudsman has full independence and autonomy in the discharge of his statutory functions. The function of the Ombudsman is to act as the ultimate point of appeal for, and administrative investigation into, complaints made by members and former members of the Defence Forces against another member or former member of the Defence Forces, or against a civil servant of the Department of Defence. This is one of several proposals included in the 2015 Annual Report of the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces which was published on 19 December 2016. My officials are considering all of the proposals set out in the Annual Report and my response to the Report will issue in due course.

I wish to acknowledge the efforts made by the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces to streamline procedures in his office and to introduce efficiencies to improve case progression.My officials, along with their military colleagues, will continue to work in a co-operative and open manner with the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces over the coming year in the discharge of his functions.