Allegations of widespread bullying in the Defence Forces are over-exaggerated, the Minister for Defence, Willie O'Dea said last night.
During Questions in the Dáil, Mr O'Dea said that since new complaints procedures were introduced only eight cases had come forward - five had been rejected, two were still under investigation and one upheld.
A confidential telephone line since 2003 had also received a small number of calls about harassment.