Our Function
The Ombudsman for the Defence Forces investigates complaints by members and former members of the Defence Forces.
The Ombudsman is impartial. She is independent of the Minister for Defence, the Department of Defence and the military authorities.
The Ombudsman's task is to ensure that members, and former members, of the Defence Forces and Reserve Defence Forces have a rigorous, independent and fair appeal for complaints they believe have not been adequately addressed by the internal military complaints process.
The following information on this page is a guide to the complaints procedure. This guide is not a legal interpretation of the Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Act 2004.
Who can make a complaint?
- Serving members of the Permanent Defence Forces
- Former members of the Permanent Defence Forces
- Members of the Reserve Defence Forces
- Former members of the Reserve Defence Forces
Do I take my complaint directly to the Ombudsman?
Serving members of the Permanent Defence Forces and the Reserve Defence Forces must, first, make a complaint through the internal Defence Force structures. This is done according to Section 114 of the Defence Act 1954.
If, 28 days after you made that complaint, there is no resolution of the dispute then a serving member of the Defence Forces is entitled to bring their complaint to the Ombudsman.
Former members of the Permanent Defence Forces and former members of the Reserve Defence Forces can make a complaint directly to the Defence Ombudsman.
Do I have to make a complaint within a specific time?
Yes.
Serving and former members of the Defence Forces have to make a complaint:
- Within 12 months of the action happening
- Within 12 months of becoming aware of the action
Can the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces investigate actions that occurred before her position was established?
No.
The Ombudsman for the Defence Forces can only investigate actions taken on or since 1 December 2005, the day the Minister for Defence signed regulations bringing the provisions of the Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Act 2004 into force.
However, if you have a complaint about an action that occurred before 1 December 2005 you are welcome to send the details to the Ombudsman in writing or through the online Feedback section.
Whose actions can I lodge a complaint about?
The Ombudsman for the Defence Forces can investigate complaints about actions taken by:
- Another serving member of the Defence Forces or the Permanent Reserve Defence Forces
- A former member of the Defence Forces or the Permanent Reserve Defence Forces who was serving at the time of the action
- A civil servant
What can I lodge a complaint about?
The Ombudsman for the Defence Forces has wide powers to investigate any action that may have been:
- Taken without proper authority
- Taken on irrelevant grounds
- The result of negligence or carelessness
- Based on wrong or incomplete information
- Improperly discriminatory
- Contrary to fair or sound administration
Is the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces excluded from investigating some issues?
The Ombudsman for the Defence Forces is excluded from investigating actions that concern:
- Security or military operations
- Organisation, structure and deployment of the Defence Forces
- Terms and conditions of employment
- Administration of military prisons
The Ombudsman for the Defence Forces is also excluded from investigating actions if:
- The person making the complaint has lodged legal proceedings in the civil courts in relation to the matter.
- The action has been summarily dealt with according to Section 179 of the Defence Act, 1954.
How do I make a complaint?
Complaints can be lodged with the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces in writing or through the on-line complaints form.
In Writing
If you wish you can download and print a copy of the complaint form which is available in two formats, a Microsoft Word document or a Adobe Acrobat Reader file.
Fill in the form with all the requested information and send it to:
The Ombudsman for the Defence Forces,
13/15 Lower Hatch Street
Dublin 2.
If you don't want to use the form, you can write to the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces with details of your complaint and post it to the address above.
Keep a copy of your complaint and other relevant documents for your own files.
On-Line
Click here to access the online complaint form.
Just fill in the form, with all the requested information. Then click the Send button. Remember to print a copy of the completed form for your own records.
Can I phone in a complaint?
The Ombudsman for the Defence Forces doesn't accept complaints over the phone. The Ombudsman for the Defence Forces will, of course, provide advice and assistance over the telephone, by email or in writing:
The Ombudsman for the Defence Forces,
13/15 Lower Hatch Street
Dublin 2.
Phone: +353 1 663 3222 or Lo call 1890 252 281
Fax: +353 1 663 3223
Email: admin@odf.ie
What information should I include when I make a complaint?
When you make a complaint, include:
- Your name, rank and posting
- The date the action you're complaining about occurred and when you became aware of it
- A brief description of the background to the complaint
- A brief description of how the action affected you
- Who took the action you're complaining about
- The name, rank and posting of the person you allege took the action
- Copies of any documentation that you think are relevant to your complaint
- If you are a serving member of the Defence Forces, provide the date when you made an internal complaint and tell us the outcome of that process
- Remember to provide us with your contact details and let us know how you would prefer to be contacted (home phone, mobile, email, letter.)
That's all pretty clear, but I've still got some questions...
The Ombudsman for the Defence Forces will give every assistance to people who are thinking about making a complaint.
If you have any questions don't hesitate to contact the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces. The Ombudsman will give you advice about making a complaint.
The Ombudsman for the Defence Forces,
13/15 Lower Hatch Street
Dublin 2.
Phone: +353 1 817 5690 or Lo call 1890 252 281
Fax: +353 1 817 5696
Email: admin@odf.ie
More Information:
The information on this page is a guide to the complaints procedure. This guide is not a legal interpretation of the Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Act 2004.