Gerard P. Craughwell on Ward Report exoneration in Crotty case
Gerard P. Craughwell addressed the Peter Ward Report and its findings on the Crotty case, arguing the report exonerated a military officer who had been forced to give evidence in Limerick. He criticised senior politicians for condemning the officer and pressed the department for clarity on suspension powers, fair procedures and the misuse of local leave.
The Peter Ward Report has clearly exonerated a fine military officer who was forced to go to court in Limerick to give a report on the Crotty case. Craughwell said senior politicians in the House had criticised and damned that officer to hell.
He asked who or what will be the suspending authority under the legislation and whether the bill will make provisions to safeguard natural justice for those alleged to have committed wrongdoing. He queried who will decide questions framed as the "best interests of the defence forces."
Craughwell highlighted that the bill is intended to ensure fair procedures and noted that detailed procedures will be set out in regulations. He sought confirmation about how suspension length, escalation mechanisms and fair procedures for accused personnel will be provided for in regulation.
He asked the department to confirm that local leave will no longer be used inappropriately or erroneously to deal with issues similar to the Crotty case, and requested that the department submit a written answer to the committee on this point.
He asked whether engagement had taken place with RACO and PD4; the department replied it had not engaged those bodies because the matter sits in the disciplinary space but had engaged extensively with military management. Craughwell pressed for written answers to outstanding questions.
Ward Report findings
The Peter Ward Report has clearly exonerated a fine military officer who was forced to go to court in Limerick to give a report on the Crotty case. Craughwell said senior politicians in the House had criticised and damned that officer to hell.
Questions on suspending authority
He asked who or what will be the suspending authority under the legislation and whether the bill will make provisions to safeguard natural justice for those alleged to have committed wrongdoing. He queried who will decide questions framed as the "best interests of the defence forces."
Fair procedures and regulations
Craughwell highlighted that the bill is intended to ensure fair procedures and noted that detailed procedures will be set out in regulations. He sought confirmation about how suspension length, escalation mechanisms and fair procedures for accused personnel will be provided for in regulation.
Local leave and misuse concerns
He asked the department to confirm that local leave will no longer be used inappropriately or erroneously to deal with issues similar to the Crotty case, and requested that the department submit a written answer to the committee on this point.
Engagement and follow-up
He asked whether engagement had taken place with RACO and PD4; the department replied it had not engaged those bodies because the matter sits in the disciplinary space but had engaged extensively with military management. Craughwell pressed for written answers to outstanding questions.
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Transcript
I'm going to move away from the triple lock if I can, and I want to turn to the Ward Report, Ms. Ternan. The Peter Ward Report has clearly exonerated a fine military officer who was forced to go to court in Limerick to give a report on the Crotty case. Senior politicians in this House criticised and damned that officer to hell. And I see in the heads of Bill now we're talking. That isn't relevant to the discussion here today. It is actually going to come on to the suspension issue, which is part of the Bill we're talking about today. Well, maybe just talk to the Bill rather than whatever. Right. Well, who will be the suspending authority? Who or what will be the suspending authority? Will the legislation make provisions to safeguard natural justice for alleged wrongdoing? I noticed one of the things there is where they talk about best interests of the defence forces. Who decides those questions? Fair procedures for somebody alleged of wrongdoing, how are those going to be taken care of? Will the department today confirm, and I know I'm up against the clock and that's why I'm rushing, will the department today confirm that local leave will no longer be used inappropriately or erroneously to deal with issues similar to the Crotty case. Okay. And just that that is a rather lengthy question, so you might submit a written answer to the committee on that as well. You can just refer in the time we have and then submit a written answer. Thank you. Do you want to just... Sorry, Chair, do you want me to... Yeah, please. Okay. So, Senator, just on the questions, the suspending authority, best interests, the fair procedures, you'll see from the head that the procedures that are going to apply will be set out in regulations, so they will be set out in detail, and the bill is very much about fair procedures and ensuring fair procedures for all who are involved. The suspending authority will also be set out in legislation and it will, in regulation, it will take account of who it will be and the length of time that can suspend the person for and the escalation mechanisms. Quickly, because I will be shut up. Yes. Have you engaged with RACO and PD4 on this, at this stage? No, we haven't, because it's in the disciplinary space, but we have engaged with military management extensively. Okay. Okay. And if you can submit the written answer to the rest, Roger, I'll take definite that from條 food from Supreme Court. The – the court, the meat for the 갖고. When Smith was the говорить to the Slow table known as Pet politely, they will pay off the same grounds of the traffic.