Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

First of all, the independent review group, of which Ms Bronagh O'Hanlon was chairperson, did a year-long assessment and investigation of abuse within the Defence Forces. Her report was fairly damning, if we are to be honest. At the time in the House, members of the Opposition were unanimous in saying to me that I must accept the recommendations of the independent review group. In advance of the report of the independent review group being published, many members of the Opposition asked me whether I would accept all the recommendations prior to receiving them. I did accept all of the recommendations - and we are implementing them - including the establishment of an external oversight body, which was recommended by the independent review group to include the Secretary General of the Department.

I assessed that. When I met the chair and members of the independent review group, they were absolutely adamant that it had to be external to the Defence Forces. They felt reform would not happen if it was a more of a representative body than an external oversight body. They felt that if members of the Defence Forces were on it, it would no longer be an external oversight body, but more of a representational body and people would be there to represent interests or their members.