Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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50. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the total cost associated with each Commission of Investigation under the remit of his Department in the past twenty years. [42456/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Following the approval by both Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann of the motions to establish a Tribunal of Inquiry, the Tánaiste signed a Statutory Instrument to formally establish the Defence Forces Tribunal of Inquiry on 20 June 2024.

The Tribunal will examine the effectiveness of the complaints processes in the Defence Forces concerning workplace issues relating to discrimination, bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual misconduct. It will also have the power to investigate the response to complaints made regarding the use of hazardous chemicals within Air Corps’ headquarters at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel.

An allocation of €3.6m has been provided in the Defence Vote as part of the agreed Estimates for 2024, to support the establishment and the work of the Tribunal. Further allocations for subsequent years will be agreed as part of the annual Estimates process for each year.

No previous costs were incurred associated with a Commission of Investigation under the remit of my Department in the past twenty years.