A senior lawyer and former Insurance Ombudsman has been appointed as the first Ombudsman for the Defence Forces, Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea said today.
Paulyn Marrinan Quinn has been nominated by the Government for the role, which will see her as the ultimate point of appeal for complaints by members and former members of the forces against colleagues or civil servants in the Department of Defence.
The three-year position was created by the Ombudsman (Defence Forces) Act 2004 and will be brought fully into action in December.
Announcing the appointment, Mr O'Dea wished Ms Marrinan Quinn well in her new position. "The introduction of the new statutory office of Ombudsman for the Defence Forces and the appointment of Ms Marrinan Quinn are very significant developments in the history of the Defence Forces.
"I was delighted to be in a position to bring to Cabinet this week Ms Marrinan Quinn's proposed appointment. "She has excelled in her field for several years and I have no doubt she will excel too in her position as Ombudsman for the Defence Forces," Mr O'Dea said.
PDFORRA, the association for Defence Forces soldiers, sailors and airmen, also welcomed the appointment. Deputy general secretary of the association Simon Devereux said: "After several years of making our case for an independent redress system, it's very good news for PDFORRA and its members that this important appointment has been made.