Allegations about bullying in the Army were like crime in Limerick, Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea told the Dáil.
"When a crime of a particular nature takes place in Limerick, everyone is keen to talk about it. The same crime would not attract the same attention in Cork, Waterford, Blessington or anywhere else. It is basically a sexy story," he said.
He said that eight complaints of bullying had been received by the Defence Forces since new procedures were introduced two years ago.
"The lack of complaints indicates the problem is not as widespread as we have been led to believe by certain sections of the media," he said.
The Minister wondered "about the accuracy of the continuing reports of widespread bullying, although I do not doubt people had this perception in 2002, but I do not know whether it was the reality".
Of the eight complaints, one was upheld, five were found to be groundless and two were currently being investigated. One case by a female recruit had been investigated, and it was found there was no case to answer. "The recruit does not accept that, which is her right. She has engaged a solicitor who is taking the matter to court," Mr O'Dea said.
During Defence questions, Labour spokesman Joe Sherlock said recent accusations had been made that bullying was rife despite the anti-bullying campaign. He said if no problem existed regarding bullying in the Army, why was the matter being raised so frequently?
Mr O'Dea said it was a "sexy story. If someone says, 'Oh, my goodness, I was in the Irish Army, was bullied relentlessly, was made undergo all sorts of embarrassing procedures and had to do this, that and the other', that is a big, sexy story. The tabloids go crazy for stuff like that."
The Minister added: "The newspaper reports are one thing, but the reality on the ground can often be quite different. Only one complaint of the eight was upheld and five were found to be groundless. Apart from the female recruit to whom I referred, the others have accepted the result and have not pursued court cases."
He was confident the changes put in place since 2002 had considerably improved the atmosphere in the Army.
