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

In the same week that the high-level action plan was published by Government, it was reported that female members made almost as many sexual allegations in the previous 12 months as they had in the previous decade. Yet, the Minister was told in June 2021 there was just one such allegation to that point.

How can the Women of Honour group and others have confidence that the review group that was set up after the Sinn Féin motion calling for a full statutory inquiry will effect the necessary change when such contradictory information surrounding even the level of reporting exists? We should not confuse engaging with that review as complete support for that review.

Has the Taoiseach seen the interim report by the review group? Does it address the allegation processes that sought to limit or circumvent reporting? Does it address the use of non-disclosure agreements? The majority of those in the Defence Forces are honest, hard-working people. They also need to have confidence in this report. When will the transformational change to modernise the organisation culture be in place, namely, the civilian head for transformation and the gender adviser?

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