With the agreement of Government, the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Micheál Martin today (16 May 2023) appointed Ms. Sam des Forges to the External Oversight Body of the Defence Forces.
This follows six previous appointments to the Body of;
- Professor Brian MacCraith as the Independent Chair
- Ms. Josephine Feehily (Independent member)
- Ms. Patricia King (Independent member)
- Ms. Julie Sinnamon (Independent member)
- Mr. Aongus Hegarty (Independent member)
- Ms. Jacqui McCrum (Secretary General of the Department of Defence)
Ms des Forges, is the Director of Conduct, Equity and Justice in the Ministry of Defence in the United Kingdom and has relevant experience in the areas of diversity and inclusion and the implementation of reforms relating to culture and behaviours with the Defence Forces.
The appointments, and the establishment of the External Oversight Body, follows the publication of the Independent Review Group on Dignity and Equality Issues in the Defence Forces on 28 March 2023.
Referring to the appointments the Tánaiste Micheál Martin said :
“As I set out previously the establishment of the External Oversight Body is a critical element to driving the necessary culture change throughout the Defence Forces. The calibre and combined skills and experience of each member gives me every confidence that this will happen. Ms des Forges unique personal experience, expertise and insight will be of huge value to the Body”
The first task of the Body is to develop detailed Terms of Reference for the External Oversight Body in line with the recommendations of the Report for the approval of the Tánaiste.