Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Tánaiste knows the Women of Honour group is dissatisfied, to say the least, at the narrowness of the proposed terms of reference that were produced. The women have raised this directly with him. They do not believe the terms of reference as they are drafted and the proposal presented to them have sufficient scope to encompass the range of issues they have very bravely and graciously highlighted. Based on the principle that we cannot and should not do anything to them without them, will the Tánaiste engage further with the Women of Honour group?

Does the Tánaiste accept that the framework is far too narrow? It does not encompass all of the areas, specifically the references to and definitions of abuse. The group has provided the Tánaiste with information on 13 areas that can be categorised with regard to abuse in the context of a statutory inquiry. Does the Tánaiste agree that the role and function of the Department of Defence ought to be covered in this, in terms of the knowledge it had about the allegations that have been made to date by the Women of Honour group? How does he intend to approach this? When does the Tánaiste propose to bring to the House the completed terms of reference for the inquiry? Will it be before the end of this Dáil session?

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