Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 May 2024
103. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the status of the first update report of the Strategic Framework on the Transformation of the Defence Forces, which was promised by March 2024; if the report has been completed to date; if the report has been published to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20632/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the publication of the Report of the Independent Review Group on Dignity and Equality issues in the Defence Forces in March 2023, I set out my priority to develop one Strategic Framework for the transformation of the Defence Forces, fully understood by everyone, that has the appropriate governance and reporting mechanisms, and is properly resourced.
The purpose of the Strategic Framework is to bring together into one overarching document, from the multiplicity of plans developed, the immediate actions to be taken to support the transformation of the Defence Forces into a fit for purpose organisation to defend the State and meet the challenges of today and the future.
My priority within this transformation is cultural change above all else. The end goal of this cultural change is to ensure that the Defence Forces is an equal opportunities employer, reflective of contemporary Irish society and that is providing a safe workplace where self-worth is actively promoted, mutual respect becomes a dominant feature and all members are treated with dignity in an organisation that continuously evolves to deliver positive change.
I published the Strategic Framework for the Transformation of the Defence Forces in September 2023, and this document clearly sets out the actions to be delivered before the end of 2024 to implement the recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces (CoDF) and the Independent Review Group (IRG) Report. The Strategic Framework also sets out the actions to be delivered to support the recruitment to and retention of personnel to our Defence Forces, to enhance the physical working environment and equipment of our personnel and to make the legislative changes to underpin the transformation agenda.
While all the actions outlined in the Strategic Framework are important, my core priorities, as Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, up to the end of 2024 are:
The specific actions to support cultural change within the Defence Forces are made. This will be implemented through a well-designed and expertly led culture change programme, led and driven convincingly from the leadership of the Defence Forces, and including initiatives grounded in the vision of the future Defence Forces. This will be monitored closely by the External Oversight Body.
That the numbers of personnel in the Defence Forces are stabilised, and thereafter increasing the strength towards the level of ambition arising from the CoDF.
The implementation of an agreed policy for the application of the Working Time Directive within the Defence Forces.
To progress specific projects to enhance the physical working environment and equipment of our personnel including specific capability enhancements across all Services as set out in the CoDF.
To set up a new independent, external complaints service for serving members of the Defence Forces and a new complaints process for civilians and civil servants.
To introduce the legislative changes to support the transformation of the Defence Forces including the statutory underpinning for;
• The new high-level structures within the Defence Forces, and the consequential re-design of the governance and oversight framework for the new command structure;
• The new independent complaints mechanism; and
• The External Oversight Body.
To set up the Judge led Tribunal of Inquiry to examine the effectiveness of the complaints processes in the Defence Forces into workplace issues relating to discrimination, bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual misconduct.
The actions set out in the Strategic Framework are being actively progressed and monitored. I am pleased with the progress made on each of the core priorities, further details of which will be outlined in the first update report of the Strategic Framework which will be published imminently. This will be followed by the publication of a Revised Strategic Framework for 2025 and beyond, which is due to be published at the end of this year.
