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

Since the Sinn Féin motion calling for a statutory inquiry into what we can all agree were truly horrendous experiences, not only for the Women of Honour group but for others, the decision was made to push ahead with this judge-led process. Perhaps it is a question of wording but the Minister and I might have a different understanding of “comprehensive update”. I read “well under way”, “fruitful meeting”, “coming weeks”, “interim report” and “monthly reports”. Can the Minister give us specifics now, five months after that debate, with regard to the advice on the current legislative frameworks, policies and procedures and practices in addressing incidents of unacceptable behaviour, the independent assessment regarding the prevailing culture in the workplace that needs to be fully aligned with the principles of dignity, equality and mutual respect, and also what measures and strategies have been implemented to date?

I also want to take this opportunity to congratulate Katie Hannon and Tom Donnelly for their recent national radio broadcast journalism merit certificate for that outstanding documentary last September on the Women of Honour who took this issue to a national stage.

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