Cabinet to hear terms of reference for Defence Forces abuse tribunal
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The terms of reference for a new judge-led tribunal of inquiry to examine bullying, sexual harassment and misconduct in the Defence Forces are due to come to Cabinet on Tuesday.
Tánaiste Micheál Martin committed to setting up a statutory inquiry to investigate whether there have been systemic failures in the complaints system within the Defence Forces following the report of the Independent Review Group last year.
Since then, he has consulted with the Attorney General and stakeholders such as the Women of Honour and other representative groups in developing these terms of reference. Mr Martin will also seek to approve the nomination of a judge to chair the tribunal.
The final report and any interim reports of the tribunal will be presented to the Taoiseach by the new chair.
The IRG report made 13 recommendations. Since publication a number of measures introduced include a new bill to give gardaí sole jurisdiction to investigate alleged sexual offences committed within Ireland by personnel subject to military law.
The Tánaiste will also bring forward legislation to establish an independent external complaints system, and an External Oversight Body has been established to drive culture change, increase transparency and accountability within the Defence Forces.
Meanwhile, Higher Education Minister Simon Harris will bring a new Government policy on student accommodation to Cabinet.
The policy commits to investment in three key areas - construction of on-campus housing for students; repurposing of vacant and derelict properties into housing; and continuation of support for homeowners renting a room to students.
The first phase has been to activate planning permissions already secured by third level universities and 1,000 student beds have been earmarked across DCU, Maynooth University, UL and UG with €61 million in funding approved by Government.
The Department will now engage with UCD, which has planning permission for 1,254 student beds, Trinity College Dublin, which has permission for 358 beds and the second phase of DCU, which has permission for 830 beds to progress each project.
However, in return for State investment, the percentage of beds funded by the State must be offered to disadvantaged students at a below market rate. For example if 30% funding is provided then 30% of beds in a project must be given to students from low-income families.
The next phase is to activate accommodation projects in the regions for student accommodation and to reduce the number of students competing with families for private rental accommodation.