Presenting her third annual report, Defence Forces Ombudsman Paulyn Marrinan Quinn said her office investigated 106 complaints last year - an increase of 39%.
The majority concerned selection and nomination procedures for promotion and career courses, maladministration, career-related administrative procedures and alleged inappropriate behaviour and bullying.
The number of complaints under each category was as follows:
* Selection Procedures for Promotion: 33 cases
* Alleged Inappropriate Behaviour/Bullying: 32 cases
* Selection for Career Courses: 14 cases
* Administration procedures: 13 cases
* Maladministration: 12 cases
* Selection Procedures for Overseas Service: 2 cases
In 2008, the profile of the complainants tended to be broadly similar to previous years in terms of gender, rank and service.
The number of preliminary and final reports increased substantially. Of the cases investigated by the Ombudsman last year, a final report was issued in respect of 34 cases.
Of these, almost 60% of the cases were upheld in favour of the complainant. Preliminary view reports (PVR) were issued in respect of 48 cases.
According to the Ombudsman, it was notable that 261 complaints received were originally processed through the Defence Forces own Redress of Wrongs procedure.
Ms Marrinan Quinn used the opportunity of her third annual report to reflect on the work of her Office since its inception in December 2005.
'I am pleased to report that findings which I have made in some cases have informed work undertaken by the Defence Forces in revising a number of human resources, procedural and administrative practices.
'These include the selection procedure used for career courses and overseas service.
'In addition to dealing with issues arising in specific cases, I have increasingly developed the view that an Ombudsman is likened to a sleeping policeman: by its very presence, it is acting as an agent of change and a guardian of fairness.'
