The Minister for Defence has said the investigation into bullying of recruits at McKee Barracks in Dublin - and the disciplining of those responsible - shows that no one is above the law in the military.
Willie O'Dea was commenting on yesterday's disclosure that an NCO has been reprimanded and another fined after an army inquiry into allegations that a recruit had been locked in a locker late last year.
A claim that the recruit had been ordered to eat from a floor was not sustained.
Minister O'Dea said he is satisfied that the structures and systems are in place to deal with any isolated cases of bullying.
He said it is not sufficient that these are just put in place, it is vitally important that they are seen to work.
The minister said he and the senior Officers of the Defence Forces were determined to ensure that no one would or should feel inhibited from reporting such incidents.
He said bullying and harassment have no place in the Defence Forces of today.
Defence Forces regulations, instructions and procedures have been reviewed and an independent pilot project of Exit Interviews seeking the experiences and views of outgoing members of the Permanent Defence Force has been conducted.
In the next few weeks, the appointment of the Defence Forces Ombudsman will be announced.
