Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Government has to act. I became the Minister for Defence in the context of the Commission on the Defence Forces and have been repeatedly asked and criticised in the House over the lack of momentum and progress on its recommendations, even though we have implemented many of them. I am not going to have the same complaint made in respect of the IRG's recommendations. I wanted to show momentum from very early on. I respect fully, and have gone on public record as praising, the work of Women of Honour, Women and Men of Honour, other organisations and serving personnel who have come forward about issues and unacceptable behaviours within the Defence Forces.

The purpose of the external oversight body is to ensure that we have a strong body in place that can oversee the radical cultural change that is required. I do not personally believe that the best route to that is through vetting by an Oireachtas committee. I do not agree with that particular approach. If the Deputy looks at the individuals on the body, she would see for herself that they are of a high calibre and are genuine in their commitment to public service.

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