Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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390. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the details of his recent meeting with representatives from a group (details supplied); and his views on the request by the group for a statutory inquiry. [5872/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, following Cabinet approval, an Independent Review Group has been established, under the Chair of Ms. Justice Bronagh O’Hanlon, to examine issues relating to sexual misconduct, bullying, harassment and discrimination in the Defence Forces.

The overall aims of the Independent Review are to: -

- Advise on whether the current legislative frameworks, policies, procedures and practices for addressing incidents of unacceptable behaviour in the workplace are effective.

- Independently assess whether the pervading culture in the workplace is fully aligned with the principles of dignity, equality, mutual respect, and duty of care for every member of the Defence Forces.

- Provide recommendations and guidance on measures and strategies required to underpin a workplace based on dignity, equality, mutual respect, and duty of care for every member of the Defence Forces.

This Independent Review is seen as a critical and vital next step to ensure that the workplace for serving members of the Defence Forces is safe, where there is zero tolerance of unacceptable behaviour and where we learn from historical experiences.

My Department and I have engaged extensively in recent months on the Terms of Reference, with the Women of Honour Group and with other stakeholders, including both serving and former members of the Defence Forces, the Representative Associations, PDFORRA, RACO and RDFRA and with a second group representing former members - the Men and Women of Honour Group. The Terms of Reference, as approved by Cabinet, have been published on Gov.ie

www.gov.ie/en/publication/d978a-dignity-and-equality-in-the-workplace-the-defence-forces-an-independent-review/

These engagements have brought serious issues to my attention, which indicate that it is not just a historic issue. Regrettably, Incidents of alleged unacceptable behaviour are still continuing to occur. Current and former members of the Defence Forces have been clear that the culture that is pervading, and the application of those policies, systems and procedures for dealing with unacceptable behaviour have not, and are not, serving all Defence Forces personnel well.

The most recent engagement with stakeholders, including the Women of Honour Group, took place on Tuesday 25 January last, where I provided an update to stakeholders on the Government decision to proceed with the Independent Review. This was the seventh meeting at senior level that has been held with the Women of Honour Group since last September, three of which I personally attended.

Current and former members of the Defence Forces have welcomed the Review and whilst I acknowledge the disappointment expressed by the Women of Honour group who have been seeking a Tribunal of Inquiry, I am strongly aware of the need for immediate action to ensure the safety of serving Defence Forces members.

I want to be clear also that this does not preclude Government from considering further bodies of work that may be necessary. Indeed, the Review Group have been specifically asked to advise on whether further work is required to examine issues of an historical nature and to make any recommendations regarding how this might be pursued.

The Review Group will provide me with an interim report after six months. A final report is expected within 12 months. I will bring the Final Review Report to Government, who may consider any further bodies of work that might be necessary, taking into account the findings of the Independent Review Group. Thereafter, I intend to make the Final Review Report public

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, can carry out their duties in a safe and respectful workplace based on dignity, equality and zero-tolerance for any kind of unacceptable behaviour.