Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach met with the Women of Honour group yesterday. They had hoped to convince him that Government is taking the wrong approach to cases of rape, sexual assault, bullying and harassment of women within the Defence Forces. Sadly, however, they were left feeling deflated and disappointed following the meeting. The group are correct in saying that the review that has been proposed by Government is flawed and entirely unfit for purpose. Their call for an independent statutory inquiry that is removed from the Department of Defence is warranted and is in the best interests of truth and justice. They said they tried to persuade the Taoiseach of this necessity, but that he was not for turning. That is most unfortunate. These women have been to hell and back. They cannot and will not tolerate a whitewash. I want to invite the Taoiseach to establish the independent investigative process that is necessary.

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