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

That is true. This group is, of course, looking at historical cases and at how we should deal with them in a comprehensive manner to establish the truth and so on. It is also looking at current practices within the Defence Forces, as well as the culture and procedures within the body. As an employer, I have an obligation towards people who are currently serving in the Defence Forces to ensure I act on recommendations to modernise the organisation, to change a culture that has been there and that needs to change and to ensure that everything from complaints procedures to dealing with historical investigations and so on will be dealt with in a comprehensive way.

That is what the review group is doing and it has spoken to many serving and former Defence Forces personnel. I certainly hope the Women of Honour group will interact fully with this independent review group in order that its recommendations can be trusted by all interested parties. That is what we are trying to do here. Nothing is hidden about this. There are no agendas, apart from seeking to establish the truth and make appropriate changes for the future.

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