Sinéad Gibney (Dublin Rathdown, Social Democrats)

I agree about the interest in this outside Leinster House. I have been part of some of the roadshow. Senator Higgins and I were in the Gresham on one of the first sunny days of the year and it was packed on a Saturday afternoon. I could not believe it. There was a full panel and huge interest. I encourage Senator Craughwell to attend the peace rally at the Garden of Remembrance at 2 p.m. on Saturday. I hope he will see the number represented. I thank members of the committee for expressing their concern at some of the hate directed at women in particular in this area.

I was on "Prime Time" with Deputy Callaghan two weeks ago. The phrase she used at least three times, I think, was "soldiers want to soldier". The reason it jarred me was that it could be interpreted in different ways. Framing it in the context of codewords is helpful, so I thank Dr. Devine.

I have a few questions about the legislation but I also wish to speak about the Defence Forces.

I appreciate that we will have current and former members and, as we have said, we have former members here among our own numbers. However, there is something about the fundamental change in the activities of the Defence Forces which would be brought about by the passage of this legislation. What do the witnesses think that will mean? Of course, I appreciate we need to ask members of the Defence Forces themselves, but what do the witnesses think it will mean for people who have signed up at various stages in the legislative development of the mandate? Perhaps the witnesses could share their thoughts on that. It is quite an open question.