Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the fact that we are moving forward with a tribunal of inquiry. There are many matters that need to be addressed. The survivors' groups, including the Women of Honour and the Canary Movement, have done huge service in bringing to light various allegations against the background of a historic failure to address particular matters. Sinn Féin recognises the importance of this and the importance of placing survivors and their voices at the centre of the tribunal's work. Amendments have been submitted by Deputies Carthy and Cronin in relation to this in order to ensure that voices which must be heard are not needlessly omitted due to sampling, and to address the fact that the Government would press forward without the full support and endorsement of stakeholders.

While I am speaking of the importance of placing survivors at the centre of the process, I want to reinforce the importance of seeing this tribunal as an opportunity to rebuild confidence within the Defence Forces. During my work on the public petitions committee, I have become acutely aware of deficiencies that can get in the way of the Ombudsman for the Defence Forces being as effective as possible. These deficiencies include addressing the 12-month rule and the inability to initiate own-motion inquiries, and how certain complaint categories, as they are worded, can hide the seriousness of the alleged offence and deter people from lodging complaints. The Minister will be aware of these three issues. I urge him to consider them carefully. Process and openness are important to building confidence, and this includes scenarios like bringing the terms of reference before the Cabinet without the say-so of the survivors. The Women of Honour gave a brilliant presentation yesterday, and I recognise them in the Gallery today.

I hope I heard Deputy Jim O'Callaghan wrong. He talked about people being held accountable if the tribunal of inquiry goes ahead. They should be held accountable for anything that these people suffered. The type of attitude adopted by this Government and those that preceded it must be a thing of the past. These people have done great work. They and their colleagues must be front and centre within and outside any tribunal.

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