Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

Bullying, harassment, intimidation, discrimination, assault and rape - what is hazing if not a form of torture? - are the conditions for women in the Defence Forces, as captured in this report. They are nothing short of medieval. The report by the independent review group has revealed heinous crimes of the very worst kind, many of which may still be happening to this day. The details and magnitude of the findings are shocking and deeply disturbing but as the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre put it, they are not surprising. We cannot say we did not know. The world was made aware of these horrendous experiences 20 years ago by Senator Tom Clonan, yet here we are today finding ourselves looking back on two decades and more of systematic terror. We cannot let history repeat itself. One more incident of abuse cannot be allowed to happen out of purposeful ignorance.

We must not let the damning words of this report remain faceless. Real people, real women, have suffered unimaginable crimes at the hands of real perpetrators who should be considered very real criminals. The women affected must receive redress and those who inflicted those crimes must face the consequences. The members of the Defence Forces have been failed by their own institution, with women bearing the brunt of the abuse. They were let down by a complaints system which reflected a bygone era, was not fit for purpose and perpetuated the pain endured by victims. They were failed by a chain of command which turned a blind eye to an organisation which, as the report states "barely tolerates women" and, at its worst, verbally, physically, sexually and psychologically abuses women in its ranks. How can it be claimed by long-standing members of the Defence Forces that they were unaware of these crimes when almost nine out of ten women who responded experienced sexual harassment, with nearly half of those reporting sexual assaults. Ignorance to this degree is inexplicable. Those in command who chose to look away instead of speaking up are complicit in these unspeakable actions.

We heard that complaints about abuse would dash any chances of promotion. Complaining was effectively career ending, and this purposeful suppression of victims establishes the culture of the Defence Forces as one of the most sinister in the history of the State. These behaviours were never addressed. Horrifyingly, they were rewarded.

Earlier, my colleague, Deputy Cairns, raised the question of the leadership of the Defence Forces with the Tánaiste. It is hard to believe that a chief of staff had been completely unaware of this endemic situation despite having a career of almost 40 years in the Defence Forces. This was sheer premeditated ignorance at best and a barefaced untruth at worst. I do not believe it possible that someone so close to this litany of crimes could be unaware of them without purposely looking away. I will and must be able to speak truth to power in this Chamber. Pleading blissful ignorance is not good enough when countless lives have been destroyed over decades and when whispers, and comments that were louder still, were on the lips of anyone relatively close to the situation. We cannot be cagey in our responses. A commitment to, and I make no apologies for saying this, gutting the status quowithin an organisation that allowed this situation to exist over decades must be forthcoming.

I highlight the work of the Women of Honour who bravely stood out against this abuse despite the fear that they would be victimised and their complaints would be ignored. This was the reality in some cases. Without their courage, we might not be in the position we are in now to right the wrongs for future generations. The report thoroughly vindicates the Women of Honour, recommending that a statutory inquiry be established to examine allegations of sexual abuse, harassment and bullying in the Defence Forces, which we must all welcome and work towards with great speed.

If allegations of sexual assault are to be referred to the Garda, as the Tánaiste said and which we all agree with, rather than to internal authorities, it is essential that the Garda incorporate the findings contained in this report and ensure that past mistakes are not repeated. I implore the Government to ensure that these recommendations are implemented without delay and that a timeline be published which details each stage of the inquiry. Survivors must be put at the centre of this discussion.

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