Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

When I first asked the Minister about abuse in the Defence Forces almost a year ago, he told me that a robust system was in place and that there was a supportive workplace culture. Following that documentary with Ms Katie Hannon - I will give credit where it is due - the Minister had a turn of heart at that point. That was most welcome for those who had such negative experiences. After that documentary, the Minister told me that "real change" would be delivered and that there were "too many stories in this space that are not historic but current". With regard to the Women of Honour, he categorically said that he "absolutely" believed its members. He acknowledged the women's "sincerity and courage" and expressed a "deep appreciation" to them. He spoke, as he has done today, about the strong "culture [of abuse] that is pervading" and said that the systems in place "have not and are not serving" members of the Defence Forces. He said that "significant efforts have been made .... but they have not worked", that "confidential reporting systems have been put in place but [have] not worked" and that the "first thing I want to do is to work with the women". If these statements were true, and the Minister has repeated some of them today, why is it that his review seeks to primarily establish what he has acknowledged he already knows?

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