Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2026
345. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Defence the way the recommendations of the independent review group and the Commission on the Defence Forces are being implemented, including reforms to leadership structures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12808/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Defence, last week , I published a new Strategic Framework for the Transformation of the Defence Forces and an update to the Detailed Implementation Plan for the Commission on the Defence Forces.
The Strategic Framework for the Transformation of the Defence Forces was developed with the purpose of bringing together into one overarching document the immediate actions to be taken to support the transformation of the Defence Forces into a fit for purpose organisation, ready to defend the State and meet the challenges of today and the future. It builds on the work of the first Strategic Framework that was published in September 2023 and draws from various reports and plans in place including the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces (CODF) and the Report of the Independent Review Group on Dignity and Equality issues in the Defence Forces (the ‘IRG Report’).
The updated Detailed Implementation Plan for the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces follows a similar format and style to the original Detailed Implementation Plan, published in 2023. It sets out the timelines for the delivery of the 130 recommendations. The Report of the CODF highlighted five core areas that must be addressed, on foot of policy decisions in relation to level of ambition and budget. These five core areas are now captured as five Strategic Objectives, which are:
Strategic HR and Cultural Change to be Delivered;
New Command and Control (C2) and Joint Structures of the Defence Forces to be established;
Services to be Reformed and Restructured;
Reserve Defence Force to be Revitalised; and
Joint Capability Development to be Implemented.
The actions to be taken under each strategic objective are outlined, along with the timelines for so doing. The Strategic Framework sets out the specific actions to be taken over the next 12 months which includes the recommendations of the Independent Review Group report.
To support implementation, the Framework sets out the governance and reporting arrangements to oversee this transformation and bring transparency and accountability to the work. These arrangements include:
• The Secretary General of the Department of Defence and the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces reporting on the delivery of actions to the Minister for Defence, through a quarterly Strategic Framework Review Meeting.
• The External Oversight Body of the Defence Forces will monitor and report on progress on the delivery of actions on foot of the IRG Report and oversee and monitor the management of human resources in the Defence Forces.
• The Implementation Oversight Group and the High-Level Steering Board tasked to oversee and drive progress on the implementation of the recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces approved by Government.
Significant progress has already been made in the implementation of the IRG report recommendations :
• An External Oversight Body of the Defence Forces was established in April 2023, initially on a non-statutory basis. The Body was established on a statutory basis from 1 December 2024. The Body is a critical element in driving and achieving the goal of culture change throughout the Defence Forces
• A Tribunal of Inquiry was established by Statutory Instrument on 20 June 2024, (S.I. 304 of 2024), to examine the effectiveness of the complaints processes in the Defence Forces concerning workplace issues relating to discrimination, bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual misconduct.
• The Tribunal also has the power to investigate the response to complaints made regarding the use of hazardous chemicals within Air Corps’ headquarters at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel.
• The National Suicide Research Foundation (NSRF) have been engaged to conduct a study of deaths by suicides of both current and former members of the Defence Forces.
• The Defence Act 1954, was amended to provide that the Garda Síochána have sole jurisdiction within the State to investigate alleged sexual offences committed by persons subject to military law.
• A new independent and external grievance system that deals with complaints of an interpersonal nature of bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and victimisation in the workplace is available to serving members of the Defence Forces (both PDF and RDF). The new process is available for an initial 12 months trial basis and a review of the process at that stage will inform the primary legislation required to establish a suitable complaints process for serving members of the Defence Forces on a statutory basis.
• The proposal of the Working Group established to develop a complaints process for civilian employees and civil servants working who work with the Defence Forces has been accepted and is being progressed.
• In tandem with this, the Defence Forces has completed its review of the current Redress of Wrongs procedure.
• All these processes form part of a wider review and redesign of the grievance management framework within the Defence Forces, which is aimed at building trust and confidence in complaints processes.
• The Defence Forces has developed mandatory Sexual Ethics and Responsible Relationship (SERR) workshops in cooperation with UCC. These workshops are mandatory for all personnel to attend, and more than 3,000 members of the Defence Forces have completed this training. While 4,600 members have completed Unconscious Bias Training.
• With the assistance of an external legal firm, extensive work is underway to ensure that the Defence Forces are compatible with the provisions of the relevant equality legislation.
• The Defence Forces have appointed a Senior Gender, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Advisor at Colonel level.
• There has been an extension of private secondary medical care to all Defence Forces ranks.
In July 2024, Government approved the drafting of a General Scheme in relation to high level Command and Control (C2) to make appropriate statutory amendments in line with key recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces. I expect to be in a position to submit the General Scheme to Government for approval in May this year, as part of proposals for a wider Bill also addressing issues relating to Military Intelligence and Courts of Inquiry.
I am committed to the transformation of the Defence Forces and by focusing the timescale of the Strategic Framework to the next 12 months, it provides impetus and immediacy to this work. It is my intention to publish a revised Strategic Framework for 2027 and beyond, at the conclusion of this year’s Strategic Framework.
