Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Over the years, we have been required to read several reports of abuse, wrongdoing, harassment and worse. It does not become easier when a report like this, from an independent review group, comes before us. From the glossary of terms on page 7 which explains words that are new to all of us, namely, "beasting", "mobbing" and "tubbing", through to the final recommendations on page 96, it makes for difficult but essential reading.

Throughout my career, I have interacted with and held in the highest regard the men and women of our Defence Forces. From putting themselves on the front line in defence of our State against an armed militia that challenged our democratic institutions, to representing our nation with honour on numerous international fields and keeping the peace, they have made us all proud. Against that backdrop, the happenings set out so clearly in the report are both deeply depressing and an urgent call to action. I join others in saluting the bravery and persistence of the women and men of honour whose demand for justice has brought us to this point. I welcome those present today.

I note the work of Katie Hannon in her hugely impactful documentary that was broadcast in September 2021, as well as the work and persistent campaigning of our colleague, Senator Tom Clonan. Although serious doubts were expressed about the potential of this investigation, chaired so ably by Ms Justice Bronagh O'Hanlon, we have here, written in the clearest terms, an analysis of systemic and enduring abuse, a culture of conformity that isolates and seeks to diminish any person who challenges the system - a system where 88% of female members who were surveyed experience one or more forms of sexual harassment. Many of those who did not experience such things attributed this to keeping their heads down and batting off inappropriate comments.

The time I have does not allow me to reference in any proper way the litany of issues that have been raised. Instead, in the few minutes I have I will look to what comes next. First and foremost is a statutory inquiry. The Tánaiste has promised that. It should be judge-led with powers of compellability and terms of reference to be drawn up, I hope, in full consultation with the women and men of honour and the chair of the review group. We also need a restorative process to heal the wrongs led by an experienced practitioner in restorative practice. I hope to hear from the Tánaiste on that. Another requirement is immediate legislative change to provide Defence Forces personnel with access to an independent external complaints service and ready access to An Garda Síochána for criminal activity. We must have external oversight of the Defence Forces. I welcome what the Tánaiste said. I remember the debate on the external oversight of An Garda Síochána, which led to the establishment of the Policing Authority. I hope the body overseeing the Defence Forces will have the same sort of capacity. I look forward to debating that in the very near future. There are other recommendations too, dealing with zero tolerance of reprisals and retaliation, new gender inclusivity and diversity policies and reforms around medical care. All of these measures are urgently needed and we need to devote time to implementing all of those in a proper, thorough but speedy fashion.

Ultimately, as always with institutional failure, the greatest change will be a cultural change. So many decent men and women have worn the uniform of our nation with pride over the duration of our State, and still do so today. They, and Ireland, require us now to ensure Óglaigh na hÉireann become an exemplar for inclusion and a place of mutual respect where the norms of civility exist and where no person feels threatened or uneasy in their daily task of serving this nation.

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