Erin McGreehan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I and my Fianna Fáil colleagues support and welcome this Bill. It makes a number of important required changes that exist in defence laws and will address the ongoing issues in the Defence Forces. The Bill also includes provisions on the role of the Reserve Defence Force, including the removal of that prohibition currently contained in the Defence Acts on members of the Reserve Defence Force serving overseas. We all absolutely support that and it is a welcome development.

I take this opportunity again to pay tribute to our Defence Forces and support them in the work they do. They stepped up again to play their part in the Covid-19 challenge and provided support to front-line emergency workers. They participated in a number of official groups such as the high-level task force on Covid-19 vaccinations. In addition to supporting the HSE, the Defence Forces have also provided a broad range of supports to other Departments and agencies. Sadly, as has been mentioned, the number of personnel in our Defence Forces continues to be significantly below the approved 9,500 level. Covid-19 will most likely add to the challenge of recruitment but we must look at why this is the case and act to rectify the situation.

The commitments to defence in the programme for Government must be acted on urgently. I, personally, am very proud of Óglaigh na hÉireann and always describe it as "ours". I am very proud of our officers, their great service and their great tradition of protection and peacekeeping. I feel that we can all have an emotional attachment and feel ownership when it comes to Óglaigh na hÉireann. It is because of that pride and emotional attachment that we owe our serving and retired officers the height of dignity and respect. We owe them. They always show up for us whether that be Covid-19, providing flood relief supports or support during heavy snow storms. There are so many occasions when they show up for us. Indeed, they show up internationally and have an incredible reputation for peacekeeping. We owe them so we must act on the commitments in the programme for Government.

One key commitment, and a priority for Fianna Fáil, was to establish a commission on the Defence Forces. The commission was established last December, it will continue to work throughout 2021 and a report is due in December 2021. The work of the commission will inform the future development of the Defence Forces. I plead with the Minister not to let this report sit on a desk like we have seen happen to many reports. I urge him to get the report and act to improve the conditions and pay for so many of our officers and their families. I mention their families on purpose as they make a huge sacrifice too. On that note, I want to pay tribute to the McNeela family in Dundalk who last week saw their son and brother honoured. Private Michael McNeela, who was 21 years of age, was a member of the 27th Infantry Battalion and serving in Lebanon when he was shot as he manned a checkpoint in 1989. Last week, one of Dundalk's most scenic walking routes, the Riverside Walkway, was renamed in honour of Private McNeela. I pay tribute to our fallen soldier who was the son of Kathleen and John, and brother of Julie. I also congratulate the Michael McNeela branch of the retired veterans group called the Organisation of National Ex Servicemen and Women, ONE, who worked tirelessly on this project. I was glad to support a motion tabled with the Dundalk Municipal Council in support of renaming the walkway. The walk will be a symbol and a reminder to all who walk the route of the life of a person who served this country but did not get a chance to live and grow old in a country that he loved.

I want to mention the women who participated in the "Women of Honour" programme and pay tribute to these brave women. I welcome this evening's announcement and the commitments given. I welcome the fact that the Minister has pledged that the issues will be addressed adequately. Eventually the Department has woken up to the issue. It was decades ago that sexual harassment was highlighted in the Defence Forces by Dr. Tom Clonan and nothing was done. The most worrying thing is that it is not historical harassment or bullying but it concerns the present. I wrote to the Department months ago on the issue and I did not receive a response. I am sure that the Minister will agree that it is shocking and upsetting to think that individual victims, researchers and, indeed, public representatives were ignored when they asked the Department of Defence about sexual harassment in the Defence Forces. Why does the State sit still until something blows up? I feel that wrongdoing is only acknowledged in the country after victims have had to scream to be heard and shame the authorities into acting. I believe the Minister is sincere but I ask him to please do not allow antiquated procedures or structures to be an excuse not to make the victims the priority. This country must wake up to the fact that often it is no country for women or the vulnerable.

I applaud the work done by the Minister in this area. I look forward to seeing the results and how he will work for the women featured in the "Women of Honour" programme.