Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

354. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to an issue in the Air Corps (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3211/22]

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

Chapter 2 of Administrative Instruction A7 provides a formal mechanism for individuals, under Section 114 (1) and 114 (2) of the Defence Act, 1954, to seek redress of wrongs or to make a complaint. Complaints may be submitted orally or in writing to the complainants Commanding Officer, or in the case where they feel themselves wronged by their Commanding Officer, may complain to the Chief of Staff. Notifications are sent to my office and to the office of Ombudsman for the Defence Forces (ODF) formally when any Chapter 2 complaint is submitted, as is notice of its subsequent outcome. Under this mechanism there exists further recourse for the complaint to be referred to the ODF for review and recommendation if appropriate.

A serving member may also, in line with Section 6 of the Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Act 2004, submit a complaint directly to the Ombudsman, without having first initiated a complaint under the Redress of Wrongs process. Former members of the Defence Forces may also make their complaint directly to the ODF. In addition, Section 6 also allows for complaints to be submitted to the ODF by serving and former members of the Defence Forces in relation to an action taken by a civil servant which affected the member concerned.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Ombudsman is entirely independent in carrying out his functions in line with the provisions of the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces Act, 2004, and his final report, which may include a recommendation on each complaint, is submitted to me for determination.

In relation to the issue raised, the military authorities have informed me that the General Officer Commanding the Air Corps has investigated the statement contained within this Parliamentary Question, and has found that there is no evidence to support it.

However, I wish to assure the Deputy that any type of inappropriate or intimidating behaviour within the Defence Organisation is unacceptable and I would urge anyone who considers they have experienced such behaviour to avail of the mechanisms outlined. I can assure the Deputy that both I, as Minister, and the Defence Organisation, are committed to providing a positive and progressive place of work for all employees.