Ombudsman For The Defence Forces

Making a Complaint to the Ombudsman

Who can make a complaint?

  • Serving Members of the Defence Forces
  • Former Members of the Defence Forces
  • Members of the Reserve Defence Force
  • Former Members of the Reserve Defence Force

Do I make my complaint directly to the Ombudsman?

The procedures differ depending on whether you are a serving or former Member of the Defence Forces or Reserve Defence Force.

  • Serving Members of the Permanent Defence Force and the Reserve Defence Force must first make a complaint through the Internal Complaint Procedures. This is done according to Section 114 of the Defence Act, 1954, which is available on the Department of Defence's Website www.defence.ie
  • If the dispute is not resolved within 28 days of making a complaint, a serving Member of the Defence Forces may then bring his or her complaint to the Ombudsman. Former Members of the Permanent Defence Force or the Reserve Defence Force may make a complaint directly to the Ombudsman.

Do I have to make a complaint within a specific time?

Serving and former members of the Defence Forces have to make a complaint:

  • Within 12 months of the action happening or
  • Within 12 months of becoming aware of the action.

The Ombudsman for the Defence Forces can only investigate actions taken on or since the 1st December, 2005.

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 Permanent Defence Force or the Reserve Defence Force;
  • A former Member of the Permanent Defence Force or the Reserve Defence Force who was serving at the time of the action,(both members must have been serving at the time of the alleged action) or
  • 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, or
  • Contrary to fair or sound administration.

Are there any actions that the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces cannot investigate?

The Ombudsman for the Defence is excluded from investigating actions that concern:

  • Security or Military operations;
  • Organisation, structure and deployment of the Defence Forces;
  • Terms and conditions of employment or;
  • Management of Military Prisons.

How do I make a complaint?

To make a complaint to the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces, you may do so in writing or through the on-line Complaint Form available on our Website. You may telephone to request a copy of the Complaint Form to be sent out to do if you are unable to gain access to on-line facilities. Please send your written complaint together with any supporting documents you believe are relevant to your grievance to the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces, 13, Lower Hatch Street, Dublin 2, Ireland. Please keep a copy of your complaint and the other relevant supporting documentation for your own records.

What information should I include when I make a complaint?

When you make a complaint, please include:

  • D.F. Serial Number, your name, rank and posting;
  • The date the action you are 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;
  • D.F. Serial Number, name, rank and posting of the person you allege took the action;
  • Copies of any documentation that you think are relevant to your complaint; and
  • The date you notified your complaint within the Internal Grievance Procedures in the Defence Forces and the outcome of that process, if you are a Serving Member of the Defence Forces;
  • Also, please remember to give us your contact details and let us know how you would prefer to be contacted (home or mobile phone number or by e-mail or letter).

Please bear in mind that whereas the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces will give her to assistance to people who wish to make a complaint, she cannot advise on the likely success of the complaint.