Public consultation: Independent Review Group - Defence Forces

The Minister for Defence has established the Independent Review Group, comprised of independent external experts, to examine behaviours in the Defence Forces and to make recommendations on the measures required to underpin a workplace based on dignity and respect.

We invite all who have a view, an experience, a counter view, insights or suggestions, who have witnessed or been involved in the exemplifying good or bad behaviours, to make a submission to us as soon as possible. The closing date for receipt of submissions has been extended to Friday 22 April 2022.

You may prefer to meet with us in person rather than making a written submission. If so, please contact us by telephone on 01 539 3800, or email info@irgdf.gov.ie

If you wish to make a confidential submission to the IRG, please email info@irgdf.gov.ie using the response template below or alternatively send it by post to Independent Review Group, 27 Fitzwilliam Street Upper, Dublin 2, D02 TP23.

We will engage further with those making submissions and other parties of interest through interviews, surveys, group consultations and other means to develop a clear picture of what is wrong, right or needs change.

This is a very significant point in time for the Defence Forces. Your clear and informed input to this process will enable us to make recommendations to make the future culture of the Defence Forces a safe, attractive and accountable place to work.

Thank you for your participation in this process.

• Bronagh O’Hanlon (Chair)
• Jane Williams
• Mark Connaughton SC
• Mr Daniel Hegarty
• Mr Simon Boyle SC

Please note that submissions received will be subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2014. Any personal data submitted as part of the consultation process will be treated in accordance with the requirements of the GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. See a copy of the IRG Data Protection Notice.

Note:

Raiseaconcern, an organisation independent of the Defence Forces which specialises in the area of employee disclosure, was appointed by the Minister for Defence in October 2021 to act as Confidential Contact Person (CCP). The CCP’s role was to listen to and assist serving and former members of the Defence Forces, both male and female, who had been the victims of bullying, harassment, sexual harassment or gender discrimination in the workplace in documenting their complaints. Raiseaconcern as CCP will be providing the Minister with the key themes arising from this work including anonymised summary information collected by them relating to each person who has come forward. This information will be made available to the Independent Review Group to inform their work, so it will not be necessary for those who have made submissions to the CCP to do so again. Such persons are, however, welcome to do so if they wish.

Once the IRG has reviewed the anonymised summaries, the CCP will write to all those who have come forward asking whether or not they wish the full detail of their submissions to be made available in confidence to the Independent Review Group.

Confidential Contact Person

Raiseaconcern (CCP) - (01)6107929 / (086)0299929 www.raiseaconcern.com

This external Confidential Contact Person (CCP) remains available to serving and former members of the Defence Forces, both female and male, on a confidential basis, to listen to and assist them in documenting their allegations and to provide guidance on follow-on options open to them.

Confidential counselling services

INSPIRE - 1800 409673

Inspire is a 24 hour/365 day external confidential counselling service, independent of the Defence Forces and the Department of Defence and provides a referral and support service on a wide range of personal and work-related issues. The service is available to serving personnel of the Defence Forces and to their partners or spouses, and to their adult children living at home. To access INSPIRE, please call 1800 409 673. Personnel serving overseas can access the service using 00353 1 685 681.

Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (RCC)

The RCC operates the National 24-hour Helpline 1800 778888 for those who need support in any part of the country.

For more information go to www.drcc.ie.