Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

First, I thank my colleague, Deputy Clarke, not only for bringing this motion before the Dáil but also for the tireless work she has done on this issue. It was very difficult for the Women of Honour to come forward and tell their stories. They have had to wade and fight their way through bureaucratic and cultural systems that are designed to keep them quiet and not to challenge the status quo. On that note, I extend my admiration and support to the Women of Honour group and all survivors who have come forward bravely to tell their stories.

Abuse and harassment are totally unacceptable in any workplace and we must show zero tolerance as a society. The Defence Forces should be no different. All Defence Forces personnel should be treated equally with dignity and respect at work.

They should have the same rights to a safe workplace as any other sector of society. Unfortunately, recent horrific incidents have brought the difficulties that women encounter daily right to the fore. It should not have taken the death of Ashling Murphy to catapult gender-based harms into the public domain, but we now have the opportunity address all the difficulties women face just by being women.

The Government needs to establish a full statutory inquiry into allegations of abuse, harassment, sexual harassment, sexual abuse and repercussions in the Defence Forces following engagement with the internal system. The Government, especially the Minister for Defence, Deputy Coveney, continues to fail and let down these women. The proposal to hold a review is far short of what is needed. There must be re-engagement with all key stakeholders, including representatives of the Women of Honour, to create fit-for-purpose terms of reference that provide for adequate scope to deal with all these issues.

The current internal system for dealing with complaints is not fit for purpose. These allegations of bullying, harassment, assault and rape in the Defence Forces are deeply concerning and require a commission of investigation. Survivors have been very clear that nothing less than a commission of investigation will be acceptable in appropriately examining what has happened. It must be fixed now to protect all current and future members of the Defence Forces and the Navy.

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