Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 October 2025
13. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the steps being taken to regulate for each of the 35 recommendations of a report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52264/25]
View answer14. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide details of the lead for the implementation of the 35 recommendations of a report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52265/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 14 together.
I am fully committed to the implementation of 35 recommendations contained in Mr. Ward’s Report, which were accepted in their entirety.
Since publication of the Report, my officials and the military authorities have been working on taking the recommendations forward.
Early on, having consulted with the Office of the Attorney General, it was clear a number of the recommendations, including those relating to suspension of Defence Force members, require extensive legal underpinning via amendment to the Defence Act 1954.
Part 4 of the recently published Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025 includes the necessary amendments to the Defence Acts to provide for the suspension in certain circumstances of a member of the Defence Forces and associated matters. This will give effect to recommendations contained within the report on the management of members of the Defence Forces charged with, or convicted of, serious criminal offences.
A number of recommendations in the Report, including recommendations relating to the attendance of Court Reporting Officers at civil trials, have already been implemented by amendments to existing Defence Force Regulations. These are as follows:
• Recommendation 24: Role of Reporting Officer be confined to one of reporting on the criminal process to the Commanding Officer;
• Recommendation 25: Reporting Officer be required to attend in cases where an officer is charged with a criminal offence;
• Recommendation 32: If an appeal is pending which is not against the conviction, a discharge/discipline process need not await the outcome of the appeal.
In addition, recommendation 26 relating to the Reporting Officer to appear in Court in civilian attire has also been progressed.
While work continues on progressing remaining recommendations, with a view to taking forward and maintaining a pro-active management approach, the Defence Forces, in consultation with officials are in the process of finalising a Defence Forces Direction and Guidance document which sets out interim arrangements to be put in place, pending the passage of legislation and associated Regulatory amendments.
