Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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680. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of vacancies by rank in the Defence Forces school of music; and when each of the vacancies will be filled in tabular form. [62971/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the military authorities that there are 18 vacancies, out of an establishment of 123, in the Defence Forces School of Music. The breakdown of the vacancies by rank is below.

Vacancies will be filled by a combination of recruitment and promotion. Seven successful candidates from the most recent recruitment campaign for instrumentalists are currently undergoing recruit training and upon completion of same will join the School of Music at Private rank. Additionally, the interview stage of a recently concluded Direct Entry competition for Band Conductor (Captain) will commence shortly.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE)
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681. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if his Department will work in relation to the report prepared by the military authorities with the injured parties to ensure that they are satisfied that the terms of reference include and investigate all of the avenues that they have requested (details supplied). [63073/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am committed to establishing an Independent Review to examine the effectiveness of systems, policies and procedures dealing with workplace issues relating to bullying, discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual misconduct in the Defence Forces  

Extensive consultations on the development of Terms of Reference for the Review have taken place with a range of stakeholders, including serving members of the Defence Forces, the Women of Honour Group, and the Defence Forces Representative Associations.  I am having further meetings with stakeholders this week with a view to progressing this important Review.

The Terms of Reference for the Review are based to a large extent on those developed by the respective Departments of Defence in Canada, UK and the US, where similar serious workplace issues were identified to those we face in the Irish Defence Forces.

I have also liaised with the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre to satisfy myself that our course of action is appropriate and thorough.  In addition, the advice of the Office of the Attorney General has guided us on the preparation of the Terms of Reference.

The Independent Review Group will be totally independent in undertaking its function and will be given any access it requires, to records or personnel, in both the Defence Forces and the Department, in order to undertake its role. It's Terms of Reference will be sufficiently broad to allow the Independent Review Group members latitude to explore the areas that they need to explore and to bring forward recommendations for future actions. The Terms will explicitly provide an opportunity for the Independent Review Group, to consider in their final report, whether further reports are needed. 

This Review is a necessary and critical first step in fulfilling my duty of care obligations to make the workplace safe for serving members of the Defence Forces.

Separately, the Deputy will be aware that I have have already introduced a number of interim measures for both serving and retired personnel.  

The appointment of a Confidential Contact Person (CCP) within Raisecaconcern is available to assist both serving and former members of the Defence Forces and provides a safe place to support the reporting of alleged wrongdoing in the workplace. The confidential contact person is independent and outside of the chain of command and their role is listen to the caller, assist them in documenting their allegations, and provide guidance on follow-on options.

The INSPIRE confidential helpline, which is available on a 24/7 basis for all serving members of the Defence Forces, has also been made available to anyone who has contacted the Confidential Contact Person.

In addition, the Personnel Support Service (PSS) in the Defence Forces assists members and their immediate family with the provision of information and advice on areas including stress management, counselling and referral options.   

I would also, however, once again ask anyone with allegations or evidence of abuse to confidentially contact the Garda National Protective Services Bureau on gnpsb@garda.ie or to call 01-6663423.

As Minister for Defence, I wish to reitertate that I am committed as an absolute priority, to ensure that each member of the Defence Forces, male and female, is able to carry out their duties in a safe workplace, underpinned by dignity and equality.

Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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682. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will publish the terms of reference for an independent review into allegations of bullying, sexual abuse and harassment in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63210/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am committed to establishing an Independent Review to examine the effectiveness of systems, policies and procedures dealing with workplace issues relating to bullying, discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual misconduct in the Defence Forces.  

Extensive consultations on the development of Terms of Reference for the Review have taken place with a range of stakeholders, including serving members of the Defence Forces, the Women of Honour Group, and the Defence Forces Representative Associations.  I am having further meetings with stakeholders this week with a view to progressing this important Review.

I hope to finalise the Terms of Reference very shortly and intend to publish them once finalised. 

The draft Terms of Reference for the Review are based to a large extent on those developed by the respective Departments of Defence in Canada, UK and the US, where similar serious workplace issues were identified to those we face in the Irish Defence Forces.

I have also liaised with the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre to satisfy myself that our course of action is appropriate and thorough.  In addition, the advice of the Office of the Attorney General has guided us on the preparation of the Terms of Reference.

The Independent Review Group will be totally independent in undertaking its function and will be given any access it requires, to records or personnel, in both the Defence Forces and the Department, in order to undertake its role. It's Terms of Reference will be sufficiently broad to allow the Independent Review Group members latitude to explore the areas that they need to explore and to bring forward recommendations for future actions. The Terms will explicitly provide an opportunity for the Independent Review Group, to consider in their final report, whether further reports are needed. 

As Minister for Defence, I wish to reitertate that I, the Chief of Staff and the Secretary General are committed as an absolute priority, to ensure that each member of the Defence Forces, male and female, is able to carry out their duties in a safe workplace, underpinned by dignity and equality.

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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683. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if Defence Forces personnel have been involved in the meetings or events of an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1292/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the military authorities that the Defence Forces have no record of participation by Defence Forces personnel in any events held by this organisation.

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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684. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if Defence Forces personnel have been involved in exercises (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1295/22]

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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685. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if Defence Forces personnel have taken part in the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre of Excellence Locked Shields exercise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1296/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 684 and 685 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, cyber attacks pose a major challenge to the security of the State, to our society, to our national socio-economic wellbeing and to the security of our citizens.  We only need to look at the recent attack on the HSE to understand the impact cyber attacks can have on the health and wellbeing of our citizens.  I am sure the Deputy will agree that we should take all steps available to us to ensure that we have the capacity and capability within the public service to secure and defend our systems from cyber attacks.  Cyber exercises are a key component in preparing civil and military personnel to protect and to respond to cyber attacks on our systems. 

The primary role of the Defence Forces in the cyber domain is to ensure the security of their own systems both at home and overseas.  Participation in international cyber exercises is a key element in developing and testing this capability in defending the Defence Forces networks and in responding to attacks when they occur. 

A key focus of Ireland’s participation in NATOs Partnership for Peace is to support Defence Forces capability development and interoperability, particularly in evolving capability domains.  To this end, in the cyber domain, Defence Force personnel have participated in a range of exercises including the NATO exercise Cyber Coalition.  The aim of this exercise is to enhance coordination, cooperation and information sharing across the Cyber Space domain.  Cyber Coalition presents a very real opportunity for the Defence Forces to enhance its capability and training in this increasingly important domain. 

Defence Forces personnel did not participate in any of the other exercises listed in the question during 2021, nor did they participate in 2018 exercise referenced. 

The NATO Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre (CCDCOE) provides a leading role in the development of capacity and capability to develop cyber security capacity and respond to cyber attacks.  The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications has the lead role across Government on our engagement with the Centre.  A member of the Defence Forces is currently on secondment to the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications to act as a National Expert in the CCDCOE for a period of two years.  Participation in the CCDCOE provides valuable training, experience and insights which enhance the capacity of Defence, Communications and the National Cyber Security Centre to protect our networks. 

Personnel from the National Cyber Security Centre, along with the seconded Defence Forces' Officer, participated in the Locked Shields exercise in 2021, an annual cyber defence exercise organised by the Centre as part of the high-level strategic element of the exercise.