Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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45. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence when he expects to receive the final report of the independent review into dignity and equality issues in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4740/23]

Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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46. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he has received the final judge-led report into the allegations made by a group (details supplied); and when he will publish this report. [4695/23]

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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61. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 34 of 24 November 2022, the status of the final report of the independent review to examine the effectiveness of the policies, systems and procedures in place for dealing with bullying, harassment, discrimination, sexual harassment and sexual assault in the Defence Forces, which was to be provided to him by the end of 2022 in line with the terms of reference; when he expects to bring the final report before Government; when he expects to publish the final report; his plans for the publication of all interim reports received by him from the review group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4833/23]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 45, 46 and 61 together.

I am fully committed to ensuring that every member of the Defence Forces has the right to undertake their duties in a safe environment underpinned by dignity and equality and by a culture of zero-tolerance for any kind of bullying, discrimination, harassment or sexual abuse. That is an absolute priority.

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

I wish to commend the courage of serving members, the Women of Honour group, the Men and Women of Honour group, and serving members who have shared their experiences of unacceptable behaviour in the Defence Forces. It was clear that there was a very critical and immediate need to address the prevailing work culture, including issues relating to the current systems, policies and procedures for dealing with unacceptable behaviour in the Defence Forces.

The primary objective of all concerned, at the outset, was to acknowledge issues in the current workplace and to establish a course of action that would address that. The Independent Review Group has undertaken this work in the past 12 months. Many stakeholders, including serving members, have lent their support to the Independent Review Group.

In accordance with the Terms of Reference, the Group are provide a Final Report with their findings to me within a year of the Group's establishment. I understand the Group are nearing the conclusion on the report and it will be submitted to me by the end of this week. 

I look forward to receiving the Report which I will consider in full, in consultation with the Attorney General, before bringing it to Government, and its publication.

Both I and the previous Minister, have at all times been very clear that we would await this comprehensive report and that any further body of work required was not being ruled out.

It is imperative that the workplace culture is fully aligned with the principles of dignity, equality, mutual respect, and duty of care for every member of the Defence Forces. This Report will help us in this endeavour.