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

I will read out a statement from the commission's report:

There is a patriarchal approach [in the Defence Forces] that takes responsibility for lower ranks to the point of disabling them, and is resistant to females and so creates an uncomfortable place for them to work. This culture is grounded in long outdated social concepts, such as the male being the breadwinner in a family, a creation of male and female roles and linking salary to self‐worth.

This is 2022, not 1922. Only last week we discussed the Women of Honour. These are the very conditions that led to the culture of abuse these women had to suffer. Abuse and harassment are totally unacceptable in any workplace. As a society, we must show zero tolerance for it. The Defence Forces should be no different. All Defence Forces personnel should be treated equally, with dignity and respect. I again ask the Minister to engage with the key stakeholders, the Women of Honour group, and create a fit-for-purpose terms of reference that will provide an adequate scope to deal with the issues through a statutory inquiry, not just a review

I will also speak about Cathal Brugha Barracks because it is the only operational military installation in Dublin city. It is a barracks I know very well. My father was stationed there for most of his military career. I previously spoke to the Minister about what it was like to grow up as the son of a soldier, and the conditions, low pay and what we had to endure as a family, despite my father doing very hard and important work. Things have not changed on that, but I will speak about the barracks on this occasion. There are many concerns among members of the Defence Forces, following a recent kite-flying exercise by a Minister, on the future and possible relocation of Cathal Brugha Barracks. A response to a parliamentary question stated that there will be: "an exploratory exercise, the purpose of which is to allow for the identification of all the implications and practicalities of such a possible relocation." This exploratory exercise must include the people who currently reside in the barracks and call it home. As I stated, this barracks is the only operational military installation in Dublin city. What implications will relocation have on other military operations the Army carries out in the city at present? Will it lead to An Garda Síochána becoming more militarised? This exercise must also take into consideration that the Military Archives are in Cathal Brugha Barracks. These archives go back to the formation of the State and even before that. They are very important to the culture and history of our nation.

I will raise an issue also raised by Deputy Ó Snodaigh. It relates to the ongoing issue in my area regarding Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel and the overexposure of people in the Air Corps to poisonous and toxic chemicals. While this report is about moving forward and future recommendations and future planning for the Defence Forces, we cannot shut the door on the past. We must also look back and help these people who have been failed by the Defence Forces over the years.

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