Sharpening The Teeth Of

Military Oversight

WORDS: LIV MORGAN

“The concept for Ombudsmanship was never more
challenged than in the context of the Military Organisation.”

Minister for Defence Michael Smith (1997-2004).

There’s little doubt that the then Minister for Defence was referring to the hierarchal nature and strong discipline associated with the Defence Forces. Yet by 2005 an Ombudsman position had been created and Ms. Paulyn Marrinan-Quinn had taken on its challenging role. Putting “the first brush stroke on the canvas” is always a challenge but Paulyn had the experience having learned the ropes of being ‘a first’ in 1992 as Insurance Ombudsman.

“I’m a great believer in the windows of opportunity and credibility when you get a job or when you start a business; You have a very slight, sliver of space during which time you’ve got to make your mark, get across your message, create a sense of trust if that’s a necessary part of the operation, which it was for me, and also get people to accept that there is some credibility and clout behind your role,” says Paulyn.

Until the Belfast native was in the final 12 (from 64 candidates) she’d only been “nibbling” at the idea; Then with the role realistically in grasp she enthusiastically went for it. The day she was appointed by President Mary Robinson was “exhilarating”despite the obvious drawbacks; Under legislation staff had to be civil servants and the slow seconding system meant no staff were allocated to the Ombudsman office for nine months.

Once in office Paulyn set about meeting the Generals, staff and various members of the Defence Forces. “You have to manage the old expectations. It’s a terrible old expression but there’s no better way of saying it! You’ve got to go to people unfortunately and give them the good and the bad, what you can and can’t do… It was very important from the outset to propogate to those that may have been unconvinced by my role what the advantages were.”

Read more about Paulyn Marrinan-Quinn in the Spring 2010 issue of WMB, on newstands now.