Representatives from the Defence Forces are withholding cooperation with a regulatory body appointed to reform military culture following the Women of Honour accusations. The Representative Association of Commissioned Officers (Raco), acting on behalf of military officers, has declared that it will not interact with the External Oversight Body Defence Forces (EOBDF), alleging its independence is compromised.
Objections have been raised by both Raco and Pdforra, the group representing enlisted soldiers, to the appointment of Defence Department’s secretary general, Jacqui McCrum, on the board. Raco insists it will not participate with the board unless either McCrum steps down or military representative organisations are allowed membership.
In a recent letter to officers, Raco leaders state: “We have reached an expected conclusion that the current EOBDF (which includes the department but excludes the associations) is neither impartial, self-governing or inclusive. It instead presents a significant bias and a transparent conflict of interest.” Raco has now advised the EOBDF that it cannot continue to engage with them until the Defence Department is removed or representative associations become full members.
Rumours suggest that Pdforra may adopt a similar stance if their demands are not accommodated. The creation of an external oversight body was a proposal forwarded by the Independent Review Group last year, appointed to investigate allegations of misconduct, intimidation, and misogyny within the Defence Forces.
These accusations were initially made by a group of female veterans, now known as the Women of Honour. The intended purpose of the regulatory board is to promote cultural reform and advance transparency and accountability within the Defence Forces.
Presently, legislation relating to these issues is under examination by the Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence in the Oireachtas. Raco clarifies that they do not oppose the EOBDF or its purpose. Their concerns solely pertain to issues of independence. In a letter to its members, Raco stated that it has been lobbying for independent oversight since 2018 and feels it has been put in an “apparently unachievable position by the department.”
The Independent Review Group’s report suggested that the secretary general should be included within the oversight group. Yet, during its pre-legislative examination of the imminent bill, the Oireachtas committee advised against having the secretary general as a member of the group, with concerns that it could potentially undermine the EOBDF’s absolute autonomy and independence.
Instead, they proposed that Ms Crum and other representative bodies be brought in to meet the EOBDF as and when necessary.
A representative for the Defence Department stated that the Defence Minister, Micheál Martin, has taken into account feedback from involved parties regarding the bill and implemented alterations. However, the spokesperson clarified that due to the special structure of the Defence Department, the Minister has determined that the secretary general should maintain their position within the group.