Remove 'gagging order' from Defence Bill, recommends Oireachtas committee

The Defence Bill contains a controversial provision restricting the views of military representative bodies.

A controversial provision in a new bill restricting the views of military representative bodies should be removed or substantially amended, the Oireachtas committee on foreign affairs and defence has recommended.

The provision in the Defence Bill was described during committee hearings as a “gagging order” which union officials and military staff bodies feared would prevent them from commenting on Government policies.