Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This is a very important question for the Women of Honour. As the Tánaiste is aware, they were taken aback by what they felt was a trivialising of their request and the assertion that its inclusion in the terms of reference would make the process in question unworkable. I believe the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act is extremely important in our Defence Forces because a disparity and polarity of power exists between superior officers and junior members of the Defence Forces reporting to them. There is a huge imbalance of power and safety.

It is a matter of bodily integrity for women and men, because physical intrusion is never just physical. It goes to a person's core as well. I think it is really important that it is included in the terms of reference and that the Tánaiste listens to the Women of Honour on Thursday. He said that these things can take years. Let us do it right from the beginning. I believe the IRG recommended that the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act would also feature in the terms of reference. I hope that the Tánaiste will think long and hard and go with this request.

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