Cathal Berry (Kildare South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will double down on a few points. First, I thank the Tánaiste for his response. I appreciate his position.

I do not even feel as though we are having a debate here. We are not even having an argument. It is really an appeal to reason. The word "victim" was used, and it was used correctly. I would say we are speaking on behalf of the victims because the Women of Honour group itself does not want the Secretary General of the day on the external oversight board. It is the victims who are requesting a review of the structure.

The second point I would like to raise - Deputy Howlin touched on it - is that the external oversight body will review the grievance procedures. I suppose the obvious question is, who drafts the grievance procedures? They are drafted by the Department, signed by the Minister and imposed on the Defence Forces. That is the other concern I have.

The Commission on the Defence Forces made many recommendations as well. Obviously, it is the prerogative of the Government of the day which recommendations it takes on board and which recommendations it does not. The Government did not take on board all the recommendations of the Commission on the Defence Forces because, as Deputy Howlin pointed out, it is the prerogative of Government, as decision-makers, based on the advice of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence, where appropriate, as well.

My last question is just for reflection. If the independent review group wanted a Secretary General on the oversight board to carry out a function or a particular task, can that same task be carried out if the Secretary General was not on the board using the same pathway that the Chief of Staff can use to interact? Can the same effect be achieved without the Secretary General being an ex officio member? Those are the few points I have.

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