John Lahart
Question:15. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence for a report on his most recent engagement with the Women of Honour Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22698/23]
View answerTuesday, 16 May 2023
Questions (15)
Written answers
While acknowledging the high regard in which the Defence Forces is held and the many honest hardworking individuals amongst the ranks, as I have already stated, one cannot but be disturbed and upset by the contents in the Report of the Independent Review Group. The conclusions in the Report are stark and shocking and go to the very heart of issues relating to dignity, mutual respect and equality issues in the Defence Forces.
As I have already indicated, a completely honest appraisal of the problems and a comprehensive plan to address them is the only way to honour the contribution of serving and retired personnel and rebuild trust.
As the Deputy will also be aware from my previous statements today, the Government has agreed to progress the report’s recommendations including the establishment of a statutory inquiry to investigate whether there have been serious systemic failures in dealing with individual complaints in relation to interpersonal issues, including but not limited to sexual misconduct.
I met with a number of stakeholders on 27th March, including a cohort of serving members, the Representative Associations, Women of Honour, and Men and Women of Honour, to advise them that I intended to bring the Report to Government on Tuesday 28th March. While I could not share that report with the groups at that time, I did commit to meeting with each group again, once they had an opportunity to consider the Report in full.
I subsequently met again with stakeholders on 2 May last, including the Women of Honour group. In addition, the Secretary General, Department of Defence met with the Defence Forces Veteran Associations and with Civil and Civilian Employee Unions.
In line with the Government's commitment to establish a Statutory Inquiry to examine the extent of systemic failures in how certain complaints were handled I have consulted with the Attorney General in respect of its establishment and also obtained assistance in the preparation of draft terms of reference for the Inquiry.
At the meetings, a draft of proposed terms of reference for the forthcoming Statutory Inquiry were shared. I requested the groups to provide feedback in writing to me so that their observations can be considered in preparing the terms of reference.
I would like to thank stakeholders who have provided observations to date. I look forward to receiving the observations of each of the Groups. The receipt of this material will pave the way for further engagement and consultation with stakeholders on the nature of the Inquiry and the proposed terms of reference.