Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The reason I pursue the line of questioning is it does not chime with interactions I have had with members of the Defence Forces. I am just interested to know that.

I want to pick up on a point made on the position of women in the Defence Forces. Mr. Justice Mahon said he had had no complaints of inappropriate sexual behaviour. That is brilliant if it is an indication there is no inappropriate sexual behaviour but I do not think any of us is naive enough to believe that. Before being elected to this House, I served as a trade union official.

I would be shocked to my core if any organisation could state with certainty, and I am not suggesting the ombudsman said this, that there were no complaints of inappropriate sexual behaviour or that there was no inappropriate sexual behaviour. The ombudsman referenced the changes that were made because of the publicity. Those changes actually came about because of the women themselves, their courage and determination. We in the Dáil and Seanad have spoken at length and expressed our thanks to those women for coming forward. I am referring specifically to the Women of Honour. The ombudsman referenced the change and the new atmosphere. Would he say the Defence Forces are now a better and safer place for women than they were two or three years ago? The ombudsman is obviously monitoring the situation more closely than most people. In terms of what is coming to his desk, would he suggest that is the case or is there a lot more work to be done?