Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Baineann mo cheist leis an athbhreithniú neamhspleách atá ar siúl le bliain anuas faoi stiúir an Bhreithimh Bronagh O'Hanlon. Cá bhfuil an tuarascáil atá geallta? Laistigh de na téarmaí tagartha, dúradh linn go mbeadh an tuarascáil críochnaithe roimh dheireadh na bliana. Tá deireadh na bliana imithe agus tá bliain nua ann. Cá bhfuil an tuarascáil? An bhfuil sí ag an Taoiseach? An bhfuil dréacht-tuarascáil léite aige? Muna bhfuil, cá bhfuil sí? Cén fáth go bhfuil deifir ann maidir leis an tuarascáil in ainneoin chomh tromchúiseach is atá na líomhaintí agus na hábhair a nocht na mná cróga ó na fórsaí cosanta?

A year ago, exactly on this date, the then Minister for Defence, Deputy Coveney, announced an independent investigation into the allegations of Women of Honour and the women's experience in our armed forces. The aim was to establish a judge-led independent review to examine issues relating to sexual misconduct, including rape, bullying, harassment and discrimination in the forces. The announcement followed on from the documentary on RTÉ Radio 1 by Katie Hannon on 11 September. We were all silenced when we heard that show. I know exactly where I was; I was on my way back from Achill. The four of us in the car were totally silent as we listened to the programme. From 11 September until this date a year ago, there was engagement with Women of Honour. The women engaged with hope and full commitment for a while; however, they were not happy. The Government decided to go ahead with the review. Trust was broken at that point because what the women wanted in respect of what they had exposed was not what the got. They came forward trusting that the Government finally wanted to do something about the culture that appears to be endemic in the armed forces among both men and women. With this in mind, the Government set up a review body with three people, with Ms Justice Bronagh O'Hanlon in charge. The Taoiseach might clarify why the terms of reference have been breached. Where is the final report that was promised within a year? My colleagues and I have repeatedly asked Dáil questions on this. We were told the Government was perfectly on target to get the report before the end of November. Where is it?

The Taoiseach might clarify another matter. In one of the answers we received, there was a reference to a discrete issue regarding another report, from a senior counsel. Has that been received and fed to the tribunal?

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