Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

121. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the progress made in the appointment of a confidential contact person for survivors of abuse, harassment and bullying within the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51690/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy is aware, I met recently with participants from the Women of Honour group and a group of serving female members of the Defence Forces, where I had the opportunity to listen carefully to their experiences, in what were very informative meetings.  In addition, participants from the Women of Honour group have met with the Secretary General and senior officials from my Department and I understand these were also productive meetings.

I have given a commitment that an Independent Review will be will be undertaken by external and entirely independent and unbiased experts in this field, to  examine the effectiveness of the policies, systems and procedures currently in place for dealing with bullying, harassment, discrimination, sexual harassment and sexual assault in the Defence Forces. I will shortly be inviting the participants of Women of Honour Group, serving members of the Defence Forces and other stakeholders, including the Representative Associations to input into the finalisation of the Terms.

I have also recently announced on 6 October last, interim measures to support both former and serving members of the Defence Forces who have been affected by unacceptable behaviour in the workplace. Former members of the Defence Forces, both male and female, affected by any of the issues raised, are being advised to note details of these supports.

An agreement has been reached with Raiseaconcern, an organisation working with private sector and public bodies on issues relating to workplace wrongdoing, on the appointment of an external and independent Confidential Contact Person (CCP) who will be available to assist members of the Defence Forces who may find themselves the victim of bullying, harassment, sexual harassment or discrimination in the workplace.  This will provide a safe place to support the reporting of alleged wrongdoing.

The Confidential Contact Person (CCP) will be available to serving and former members of the Defence Forces, both female and male, on a confidential basis. Their role is to listen and assist callers in documenting their allegations and provide guidance on follow-on options open to them. These options will differ depending on whether the individual involved is a serving or former member of the Defence Forces and on the nature of the allegations.  This will allow each individual to make an informed decision in relation to next steps regarding their allegations. The CCP facility is currently up and running.  

In addition, I have announced that my Department and the Defence Forces are engaging with the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre in terms of assistance for both serving and former personnel who have suffered sexual harassment, sexual assault, or rape, in the workplace.

Raiseaconcern will be providing me with an anonymsed report on the nature and type of calls to the CCP and this will be an important aid in informing the upcoming Independent Review.

Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

122. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence when the independent review of the revelations made in a documentary (details supplied) will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51691/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will be aware,  I met recently with participants from the Women of Honour group and with a group of serving female members of the Defence Forces, where I had the opportunity to listen carefully to their experiences, in what were very informative meetings.  In addition, participants from the Women of Honour group have met with the Secretary General and senior officials from my Department and I understand these were also productive meetings.

The Terms for an Independent Review to examine the effectiveness of the policies, systems and procedures currently in place for dealing with bullying, harassment, discrimination, sexual harassment and sexual assault in the Defence Forces, had been under consideration for several months and are being reviewed in light of these recent meetings and the views expressed.

I also intend to invite, very shortly,  members of Women of Honour, serving members of the Defence Forces and other stakeholders, including the Representative Associations, to provide their input into the finalisation of these Terms.

I wish to underline again that this Review will be undertaken by external and entirely independent and unbiased experts in this field.  

The Deputy will also be aware that I have recently announced interim measures for both former and serving members of the Defence Forces who have been affected by unacceptable behaviour in the workplace. Former members of the Defence Forces, both male and female, affected by any of the issues raised, are being advised to note details of these supports.

An agreement has been reached with Raiseaconcern, an organisation working with private sector and public bodies on issues relating to workplace wrongdoing, on the appointment of an external Confidential Contact Person (CCP) who will be available to assist both serving and former members of the Defence Forces who have been affected ]by these issues.  This facility will provide a safe place to support the reporting of alleged wrongdoing. 

In addition, I have announced that my Department and the Defence Forces are engaging with the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre in terms of assistance for both serving and former personnel who have suffered sexual harassment, sexual assault, or rape, in the workplace.

Finally, I wish to reiterate my commitment and that of the Secretary General and Chief of Staff, to ensure that every member of the Defence Forces, male and female can carry out their duties in a safe, and respectful workplace based on dignity, equality and zero-tolerance for any kind of unaccepatble behaviour.