Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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395. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will provide an update on his Department’s input to the feasibility study currently being undertaken on the future use of Cathal Brugha Barracks, Dublin; when this study will be published; and the engagement his Department has had with the Land Development Agency and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on this issue. [6429/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department has secured funding, under the Housing For All implementation fund, to engage consultants to carry out a cost-benefit analysis and feasibility study in relation to the viability of relocating Cathal Brugha Barracks to another city centre location or location on the outskirts of Dublin City.

It should be noted that this is an exploratory exercise, the purpose of which is to allow for the identification of all the implications and practicalities of such a possible relocation. The completion of the study will facilitate an informed debate on the feasibility, costs and indeed the practicality of a relocation of DF operations from Cathal Brugha Barracks.

My Department, together with the Defence Forces, is now developing a tender proposal and will go to the market in the coming weeks. This study will compromise three fundamental aspects :

- Consideration of Whole Life Cycle Costs and Benefits– including new land acquisition costs and provision of a new build Barracks;

- Assessment of the operational and security implications and risks associated with a relocation;

- Determination as to the feasibility of relocating incorporating internal comparators as to how other States manage the threats & risks to their capital infrastructure.

This project should take some 9 to 12 months to complete and all relevant Stakeholders will be briefed as this project progress.

Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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396. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the progress made at addressing the serious concerns arising from the experiences of some members of the Defence Forces in particular women serving and retired; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6537/22]

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 for the Review, as approved by Cabinet, have been published on Gov.ie

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. Accordingly, I am strongly aware of the need for immediate action to ensure the safety of serving Defence Forces members.

In addition, 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.