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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 67 and 69 together.

The Government has agreed to progress, as a priority, the recommendations in the report of the independent review group. The establishment of a statutory inquiry to investigate whether there have been serious systemic failures in dealing with individual complaints in relation to interpersonal issues, including but not limited to sexual misconduct, is just one of the recommendations that is being implemented. Following Government approval to establish a statutory inquiry, there has been ongoing consultation with the Attorney General and his office in respect of the establishment of the inquiry and his office has assisted in the preparation of the draft terms of reference.

In early May I had meetings with a number of key stakeholders where draft terms of reference for the statutory inquiry were shared. I requested that the groups provide feedback in writing to me so that their observations could be considered in preparing the terms of reference. The draft terms of reference were also shared with a number of interested parties who contacted my office. The Taoiseach and I met the Women of Honour group and its legal representatives on Monday last, 12 June, to discuss the Government's commitment to move ahead with progressing the recommendations of the independent review group's report.

I met the Women of Honour group and its legal representatives again last Wednesday in a further round of engagements with a number of other stakeholders, including PDFORRA and RACO, which are the Defence Forces representative associations, the Defence Forces veterans' associations and the Men and Women of Honour group. In addition, the Secretary General met with Civil Service and civilian unions. The views of all stakeholders are very important and we have listened very carefully to their concerns. I have heard differing views from different groups. I will be reflecting on the feedback received from the various stakeholders, which will be considered in the preparation of the terms of reference for the inquiry.

While consideration is being given to the format of a statutory inquiry, this has not delayed the immediate implementation of some of the recommendations in the independent review group's report. For instance, all allegations of sexual assault by serving members occurring in the State are now being referred directly to An Garda Síochána for investigation and prosecution. Legislative proposals are being finalised to formalise this. The external oversight body recommended in the independent review group's report has been established, initially on a non-statutory basis. Legislation will be brought forward to put this body on a statutory footing.

With the assistance of an external legal firm, extensive work is already under way to ensure the Defence Forces are compatible with the provisions of the relevant equality legislation. The implementation of the recommendations in the independent review group's report, together with the implementation of the recommendations in the report of the Commission on the Defence Forces, particularly in the area of culture, will see a fundamental transformation in Defence Forces culture in line with the acceptable norm in any modern-day employment.

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