Publication of the Terms of Reference for the Judge-led Tribunal of Inquiry to examine the effectiveness of the complaints processes in the Defence Forces.
16th January 2024
The Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Seán Clancy, has today welcomed the publication of the Terms of Reference for the Judge-led Tribunal of Inquiry to examine the effectiveness of the complaints processes in the Defence Forces and to address workplace issues relating to discrimination, bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual misconduct. The Chief of Staff stated,
“I welcome today’s announcement by an Tánaiste of the approval of the Terms of Reference for the Judge-led Tribunal of Inquiry and welcome the appointment of the Honourable Ms Justice Ann Power as its Chair. Since being appointed Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, I have made it abundantly clear, there is no place for any form of abusive, inappropriate, or criminal behaviour in the Defence Forces. The Defence Forces is fully committed to cooperating with the Tribunal in the course of their work and I fully expect that the Inquiry will determine the extent of the issues brought to light in the IRG report”
The Chief of Staff further stated that,
“We are working to redesign our grievance procedures and HR policies, rolling out mandatory Sexual Ethics and Respectful Relationships workshops and holding people to account for misconduct and misbehaviour. Change is underway and updated policies and procedures will be underpinned by the principles of mutual respect, dignity and equality.”
ENDS
The full document can be viewed here
Notes to the Editor:
The Defence Forces has not stood still and is responding to the serious internal cultural issues raised by the IRG-DF report. The Defence Forces are determined to change the negative aspects of our culture. Amongst the initiatives undertaken are:
- A civilian Head of Strategic Human Resources and Head of Transformation have been appointed to the Defence Forces Board.
- An external review of the Defence Forces internal complaints procedure has been undertaken with the next step to fundamentally redesign the process imminent.
- The Defence Forces now passes all complaints of alleged sexual offences in the State directly to An Garda Síochána for investigation.
- The Defence Forces has developed and rolled out Sexual Ethics and Responsible Relationship workshops in cooperation with UCC and the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, which is mandatory for all our people.
- The Defence Forces has rolled out mandatory Gender Diversity and Unconscious Bias training to all our people.
