Accountability

The Defence Forces remain committed to accountability. We commit to ensuring that every allegation made will be
investigated in a timely manner. Appropriate consequences will be applied for those who’s behaviour falls below our
expected high standards.

The Defence Forces have also introduced mechanisms, including our Value our People survey that ensure we are
transparent in our actions, learn from feedback and continually improve.
We are committed to listening to our people, being accountable for our culture, and delivering improvements where
required.

Some of the activity to achieve a culture of accountability is outlined below:

• Value Our People Programme – This programme aims to enhance the areas of culture that we benefit from, and eradicate the areas of culture that impact negatively on our people. We are committed to listening to your lived experience of our culture and acting upon the findings. Each year we carefully examine the results of our Value Our People Survey to inform our actions. Each Formation and Service issued with an Action Plan by the Chief of Staff detailing the initiatives that must be undertaken to achieve our desired culture.
• Military Disciplinary Process - The Irish Defence Forces operates a formal disciplinary system under the Defence Act 1954 and military regulations. The process aims to maintain discipline while ensuring fair treatment and due process for personnel. The process moves from investigation to hearing followed by formal decision and sanction with appropriate appeal mechanisms. 
• Court Martial - A Court Martial is a military court that tries serious offences alledgedly committed by Defence Forces
  personnel under military law, operating under the Defence Act 1954 and the Military Justice Act 2007. Court Martial is
  convened for serious breaches of military discipline and criminal offences that cannot be adequately dealt with through
  standard disciplinary procedures, including: serious assault or violence, theft of military property or equipment, Breach of security/unauthorized disclosure of classified information, desertion or serious absence without leave, conduct prejudicial to military discipline, and criminal offences (murder, rape, fraud, etc.).
• Reprisal and retaliation – This formal policy is under development to protect individuals who raise concerns, make
  complaints, participate in investigations or support others in doing so, by ensuring they can engage with the Defence Forces reporting processes without fear of adverse consequences.