Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Taoiseach for the response and I echo his words of commendation for the immense work of, and the bravery shown by, members of the Defence Forces, who are renowned worldwide for their commitment to peacekeeping and for the immense service they have given on missions overseas for many years. However, I also acknowledge that, as the Taoiseach has said, the findings of this report make for alarming reading and disclose an ongoing and wide scale problem with the culture within the Defence Forces. I note the Taoiseach's comments about his Government's intention to work swiftly on this matter and to engage with stakeholders. That is crucially important but the time after the publication of a report like this is crucial and sensitive treatment is required. We are all conscious that, for those affected, reading the report and hearing public debate on it now that it has been published is very difficult and potentially very traumatic. I have represented some survivors of mother and baby homes and institutional abuse and they have told me how they found themselves traumatised again when the report was published, even though much of it vindicated what they had said and their experiences. It is therefore very important that neither the Government nor any of us traumatise these people again and that we move swiftly, although steadily, as the Taoiseach has said, to ensure that an appropriate response is given and that the terms of reference for this inquiry meet the needs of survivors. I again ask for clarity on a timeline and on the sequencing of the steps to be taken by Government to protect survivors.

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