Paul McAuliffe (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I heard the Tánaiste's comments earlier regarding the independent review group's report into the Defence Forces, which makes for very strong reading. The Tánaiste has indicated there will be a strong response from the Government. I would urge the Tánaiste to consider, in the context of the terms of reference of the independent review group, the issue of families of children with disabilities. I say this because while the toxic, macho culture within the Defence Forces has had an adverse impact on many people, I have been dealing with a particular case involving the parent of a child with a disability. There have been delays in the production of the investigating officer's report. Providing redress and righting the wrongs done have been deliberately delayed. Such tactics were used in many of the cases which were studied by the independent review group. I ask that the issue of children with disabilities in the Defence Forces be considered in terms of how they may be impacted by the culture discussed in the review group's report.

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