Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I have previously acknowledged the receipt of information on this matter. Given the apparent manner by which the information is sourced, the matters detailed in that information cannot be investigated by me or my officials, particularly where it is alleged that criminal offences of a sexual nature have been committed against children. They are best investigated by an Garda Síochána.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Senior Counsel has been appointed by me to conduct an independent assessment of the specific actions taken by the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces on foot of the extensive correspondence received. This task is underway.

I wish to assure the Deputy that the concerns raised in the information are dealt with in a considerate and serious manner.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Every member of the Defence Forces has the right to be treated with dignity, equality and respect to carry out their duties in a safe workplace underpinned by a culture of zero-tolerance for any kind of bullying, discrimination, harassment or sexual abuse.

The Independent Review Group, approved by Government and established last January, is examining the systems, policies and procedures for dealing with workplace issues relating to bullying, discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual misconduct, as well as workplace culture, in the Defence Forces.

This Judge-led review is a necessary and critical first step to address the need for a safe work environment for serving members with zero-tolerance for such unacceptable behaviour.

The Terms of Reference for the Review are wide-ranging and provide that Government may consider further work on receipt of the Independent Review findings.

There are 3 key aims of the Independent Review:

- Firstly, to advise on whether the current legislative frameworks, policies, procedures and practices for addressing incidents of unacceptable behaviour in the workplace are effective;

- Secondly, to 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 and;

- Thirdly, to 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.

A number of reforms have been implemented over the last twenty years since the 2002 publication of the External Advisory Group on the Defence Forces and the three subsequent reports from the Independent Monitoring Group (IMG), for addressing allegations of inappropriate behaviour, including harassment, sexual harassment and bullying, which are contained in policy documents and in regulation.

The Defence Forces Diversity and Inclusion Strategy Statement and Action Plan aims to ensure that a transparent culture exists, that encourages personnel to report inappropriate behaviour, discrimination, bullying, harassment and sexual harassment.

Despite the reforms that have taken place, I accept that more needs to be done. During my engagements with both current and former members of the Defence Forces, it is 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.

As the Deputy will be aware, I have set out an ambitious timetable for the Group. An interim report is due within the next 3 months with a final report within 12 months of the establishment of the Group. I will be bringing this final Report to Government and thereafter it will be published.

Separately and also on foot of my engagement with both serving and former Defence Forces personnel last year, I immediately put in place a number of interim supports including the appointment of the Confidential Contact Person with Raiseaconcern, to support serving and former members in the safe reporting of allegations of wrongdoing in the workplace.

Raiseaconcern have recently provided me with a report on the work of the Confidential Contact Person. The Report is completely anonymised and as agreed I have submitted a copy to the members of the Independent Review Group and it is expected that it  will be a valuable input  into their ongoing deliberations.

I wish to reiterate that a key priority for me as Minister for Defence is my duty of care obligation to all members of the Defence Forces.