Defence Forces bring in independent grievance process for recruits

The system will deal with complaints of an interpersonal nature among members of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) and members of the Reserve Defence Force (RDF). File photo

An independent external grievance system to deal with interpersonal complaints among serving members of the Defence Forces has been officially launched.

Serving members will now be able to make complaints outside their chain of command as part of the new independent grievance system.

The system is being established on an interim basis for an initial one-year period. Former Labour Court chairman Kevin Duffy will be serving as the interim grievance manager

The system, which will deal with complaints of an interpersonal nature among members of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) and members of the Reserve Defence Force (RDF), follows a recommendation by the independent review group (IRG) on dignity and equality issues in the workplace, published in 2023.

The independent body will allow serving Defence Forces members to make complaints regarding inappropriate behaviour, without having to take such complaints to their immediate superiors, according to the Department of Defence.

Tánaiste and minister for defence Simon Harris said the system would ensure serving Defence Forces personnel would have their complaints dealt with in "an independent, sensitive and confidential manner".

“The decision to set up this process stems directly from the report of the Independent Review Group (IRG) and will come into effect immediately," he said on Tuesday.

Defence Forces chief of staff, Lieutenant General Sean Clancy, said the appointment of Kevin Duffy as interim grievance manager was "a welcome initiative". 

“This independent and external process for handling dignity-at-work complaints is a key milestone in our ongoing cultural transformation," he said. "It offers a confidential and impartial avenue for serving members to have their concerns heard and addressed outside the chain of command."

Both the Tánaiste and Lt Gen. Clancy encouraged any member of the PDF or RDF who feels they have been subjected to inappropriate behaviour to make use of the new system.

The establishment of the independent grievance was also welcomed by RACO, the association which represents the country's military officers, and by PDForra, the association representing more than 6,500 enlisted members the army, naval service, and air corps.

General secretary of RACO, Lieutenant Colonel Conor King, said his organisation was "fully involved with the Department of Defence in the design and development of the system, which was one of the recommendations of the IRG". He also encouraged any members who may have a complaint to engage with the process.

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PDForra president Mark Keane said the new external grievance process marked “a significant and long overdue step which ensures that our members will have access to an open and transparent and, we hope, an efficient mechanism for raising and resolving any workplace issues as they arise”.

Mr Keane said his organisation had lobbied for such a system “for a long time, over many years”, given that similar mechanisms are the norm across other public services.

He said the new process “will acknowledge our members' rights and, we believe, will strengthen the structures to uphold their dignity, respect, as well as accountability within the organisation”. “We remain committed to ensuring that our members' rights are upheld,” he added.