Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 May 2023
199. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will facilitate the Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence having an oversight role in the appointment of individuals to the Independent Oversight Board for the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22742/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Government agreed to establish the External Oversight Body of the Defence Forces, on a non-statutory basis initially, in line with one of the thirteen recommendations of the Independent Review Group on Dignity and Equality Issues in the Defence Forces published on March 28th.
The Government moved quickly to establish the Body, making the following appointments on April 5th:
• Professor Brian MacCraith as the Independent Chair
• Ms. Josephine Feehily
• Ms. Patricia King
• Ms. Julie Sinnamon
• Mr. Aongus Hegarty
• Ms. Jacqui McCrum in her capacity as Secretary General of the Department of Defence
These six appointments are fully in line with the IRG Report, which recommended eight appointments, including the Secretary General of the Department of Defence.
I am also pleased to announce that with the agreement of Government on May 16, I have also appointed Ms. Sam des Forges to the Body.
Ms des Forges, is the Director of Conduct, Equity and Justice in the Ministry of Defence in the United Kingdom and has very relevant experience in the areas of diversity and inclusion, transformation of Defence Forces complaints system, implementation of reforms relating to culture and unacceptable behaviours with the Defence Forces.
Ms des Forges unique personal experience, expertise and insight will be of huge value to the Body.
The immediate establishment of the External Oversight Body is a critical element to driving the necessary culture change throughout the Defence Forces and increasing transparency and accountability.
The calibre and combined skills and experience of each member gives me every confidence that this will happen. As is the norm, the Chair of the Body will accept any invitation to come before the Committee to discuss its important work.
The first task I set the Body was to develop detailed Terms of Reference in line with the recommendations of the Report for my approval.
My expectation is that the Chair will submit detailed Terms of Reference for my approval in the coming weeks. Once approved the Terms of Reference will be published.
While the Body has been established on non-statutory basis, it is my firm intention to introduce legislation to put it on a statutory footing as soon as possible. Once established on statutory basis, I expect future subsequent appointments to carried out via the Public Appointments Service.
Question No. 200 taken with No. 16.
