In correspondence provided to ARCO, and which may be accessed HERE, the Minister for Defence states that he intends to make further appointments to the External Oversight Body of the Defence Forces “specifically the member of an overseas Defence Forces or defence department”.
Previously, ARCO expressed its concern over the imbalance of Defence representation on this Body – our position has not changed. Notwithstanding the recommendations of the Independent Review Group, the Secretary-General of the Department of Defence should not be a member of this Body, unless the Defence Forces have representation. Alternatively, no representation should come from the Defence Community.
Likewise, ARCO is deeply concerned that the Minister in his letter advised that “resistance to change, as identified by the Independent Review Group is no longer an option.”
Following the publication in 2002 of ‘The Challenge of a Workplace’ by the External Advisory Committee on the extent of harassment, bullying, discrimination and sexual harassment within the Defence Forces, an Independent Monitoring Group was established. This Group published three reports, the last in 2014. Those who served through this period, and thereafter, actively participated in the introduction of the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces, Revised Complaints Procedures, the Dignity Charter, Gender Advisors, the appointment of Student Counsellors, the Female Forums, Designated Contact Persons, amongst many other changes.
This is not reflective of a Defence Forces that was or is resistant to change. The disbandment of the IMG was a policy error to which the Department of Defence was party to.
This statement has also been posted on ARCO’s Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook Platforms.
