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Paulyn Marrinan Quinn S.C. Ombudsman for the Defence Forces

Paulyn Marrinan Quinn S.C. Ombudsman for the Defence Forces. Presentation to Joint Committee on Investigations, Oversight and Petitions 29 th February, 2011. What does your Ombudsman do?

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Paulyn Marrinan Quinn S.C. Ombudsman for the Defence Forces

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  1. Paulyn Marrinan Quinn S.C.Ombudsman for the Defence Forces Presentation to Joint Committee on Investigations, Oversight and Petitions 29th February, 2011

  2. What does your Ombudsman do? A neutral third-party who investigates complaints by members, and former members, of the Defence Forces.……..independent of the Minister, the Department of Defence and the military authorities.

  3. Who can make a complaint? • Serving members of the Defence Forces • Retired members of the Defence Forces • Serving Members of the Reserve Defence Forces • Retired members of the Reserve Defence Forces

  4. Against whom? The Ombudsman is empowered to investigate complaints about actions taken by: • Another serving member of the Defence Forces • A former member of the Defence Forces who was serving at the time of the action • A civil servant

  5. About? Any action that may have been: • Taken without proper authority • Taken on irrelevant grounds • The result of negligence or carelessness • Based on wrong or incomplete information • Improperly discriminatory • Contrary to fair or sound administration

  6. Irish Defence Forces Redress of Wrong Process Unresolved after Chief of Staff Considered Ruling OR 28 days elapsed since Complaint Submission Complaint may be referred to Ombudsman 7 Days Chief of Staff 14 Days No Brigade Commander Resolved? Yes 5 Days No Yes Commanding Officer Resolved? 2 Days No Yes Company Commander Resolved? Process Concludes Complaint Submitted

  7. Preliminary examination – jurisdictional issues considered Serving member Research of issues by ODF Defence Forces Redress of Wrongs (RoW) Process ODF issues Preliminary View Report: four weeks for replies, clarifications and further information Resolved Complainant not satisfied No decision after 28 days – Complainant may refer matter to ODF Responses and further information considered by ODF ODF issues Final Report to Complainant, Chief of Staff and Minister Appeal notified and file sent by Chief of Staff to ODF Minister responds to Final Report Complaint referred directly to ODF and file requested from Chief of Staff Minister declines to accept recommendations Minister accepts recommendations Former member or serving member with a complaint against a civil servant ODF can issue Special Report ODF communicates outcome to Complainant

  8. Ombudsman “The Ombudsman shall be independent in the performance of his or her functions….” Section 4 (1) Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Act 2004.

  9. Do I take my complaint directly to the Ombudsman? Not in the first instance. If, 28 days after the complaint was made, there is no resolution of the dispute, then a Serving member of the Defence Forces is entitled to bring their complaint directly to the Ombudsman

  10. Do I have to make a complaint within a specific time? Yes: • within 12 months of the action happening, or • within 12 months of becoming aware of the action

  11. Can the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces investigate actions that occurred before the establishment of her Office? No. The Ombudsman can only investigate actions taken on or since 1st December 2005, the day the Minister for Defence signed regulations bringing the provisions of the Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Act 2004 into force.

  12. Is the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces excluded from investigating some issues? Yes. • Security or military operations • Organisation, structure and deployment of the Defence Forces • Terms and conditions of employment (i.e. within the ambit of the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme ) • Administration of military prisons

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