Tánaiste announces new Independent Grievance System for Serving Members of the Defence Forces
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From: Department of Defence
- Published on: 22 April 2025
- Last updated on: 22 April 2025
The Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Simon Harris has today announced the launch of an independent, external Grievance System that will deal with complaints from serving members of the Defence Forces.
The new system is being established on an interim basis for an initial period of 12 months and follows a recommendation by the Independent Review Group (IRG).
The former chairperson of the Labour Court, Kevin Duffy, will serve as the Interim Grievance Manager.
The new grievance procedure will be available to members of both the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) and the Reserve Defence Force (RDF).
Members will be able to make a complaint via this system regarding inappropriate behaviour of an interpersonal nature.
Complaints can be made directly to the Interim Grievance Manager by visiting Gov.ie/IGM.
Announcing the initiative, the Tánaiste said:
“Ensuring a safe and secure environment for members of our Defence Forces is a key priority of mine as Tánaiste and Minister for Defence.
“I’m therefore pleased today to announce the establishment of a new Independent Grievance procedure for serving members of the Permanent Defence Force and Reserve Defence Force.
“This will allow our personnel to have personal complaints investigated and dealt with in an independent, sensitive and confidential manner.
“The decision to set up this process stems directly from the report of the Independent Review Group (IRG) will come into effect immediately.
“I am also pleased that someone of the calibre and experience of Kevin Duffy has agreed to serve as the Interim Grievance Manager and I thank him for his work.
“Finally, I encourage any member of the PDF or RDF who feels they have been subjected to inappropriate behaviour to utilise this new system.”
Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, Lieutenant General Sean Clancy said:
“The appointment of Kevin Duffy as the Interim Grievance Manager for the Defence Forces is a welcome initiative. This independent and external process for handling dignity-at-work complaints is a key milestone in our ongoing cultural transformation. It offers a confidential and impartial avenue for serving members to have their concerns heard and addressed outside the chain of command. I encourage all members to familiarise themselves with the process and to engage with it in a constructive and respectful manner.”
Notes
*This establishment of the Independent Grievance process is in response to the IRG recommendation that serving members of the Defence Forces have ‘access to an independent, external complaints service delivered by a professional service provider for as long as it takes to put a trusted internal system in place.’