Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 15, 23, 24 and 47 together.

My understanding is that the work plan has been completed. I am very careful to ensure that this report remains distant from the Minister so that it is seen genuinely as an independent report, which it needs to be. Even though this process and the people who are leading it have much support in terms of existing Defence Forces personnel and also some former Defence Forces personnel, it is regrettable that the Women of Honour group has not supported this approach. I hope it will interact with the judge and her team because this is a very genuine and serious effort to produce recommendations that can fundamentally change culture within the Defence Forces. I am available at any time to talk about that with any group, including the Women of Honour group if it wants to do so. This report is progressing, however. We have asked, as part of the terms of reference, that they would provide an interim report to me within six months and finalise their work within 12 months. I certainly hope that we will be on schedule for those commitments.

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