Forces ombudsman issues first report

The majority of cases investigated by the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces in 2006 involved grievances about non-selection for…

The majority of cases investigated by the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces in 2006 involved grievances about non-selection for promotion, career courses and overseas service.

In her first annual report, Paulyn Marrinan Quinn said she considered 26 cases for investigation and issued a final determination in 16; of these 10 were upheld and two were partially upheld in favour of the complainant.

Ms Marrinan Quinn said that 21 cases related to non-selection for promotion of members of the Defence Forces.

"As a result of some of my initial reports in respect of cases referred to me which related to the interview processes for NCO Career Courses and Overseas Service, new interview and selection procedures were introduced on an interim basis in July 2006," she said.

READ MORE

The Office of the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces was established in 2005 to provide serving and former members of the Defence Forces with an impartial and independent review of their grievances.

The Defence Forces has 10,500 permanent staff in the Army, Navy and Air Corps, while a further 13,000 are reserve members.

In her report, Ms Marrinan Quinn said she found the Defence Forces to be open and receptive to the establishment of her office, saying she was "struck by a willingness to recognise the benefits of having an ombudsman."

She said that from the outset, her main objective was that her office would gain "a reputation for impartiality, professionalism and fairness across all of its work". "Establishing confidence and credibility with key stakeholders plays a vital role in the work of every ombudsman," she added.