Mark Wall (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I support colleagues who raised yesterday's independent review group report on the Defence Forces. I thank again the Women of Honour and our colleague, Senator Clonan, on the considerable work they have done recently on what is, as I said yesterday, a national disgrace. It is important that we mention what the report findings are. The Tánaiste and Minister for Defence called this "a watershed moment" and that is correct. The findings show that of the 527 people spoken to, one third of respondents experienced harassment while serving in the Defence Forces. The most damning statistic I took from the report is that some 88% of females reported experiencing one or more forms of sexual harassment. That is damning and I know colleagues have mentioned this as well.

The issue we have raised is that the statutory inquiry must be up and running before the summer recess. That is essential for those who have fought so hard to get us to this day. The number of incidents of harassment over five years is unbelievable and some 7% of respondents report that it is ongoing. This is what is happening in our Defence Forces. As was said last night, fewer than 7% of those serving in the Defence Forces are female. That is unacceptable in this day and age. It is a national disgrace. We need to see the statutory inquiry up and running before the summer recess. I call on the Leader to ask the Minister for Defence to come to the House to discuss the findings of the report. It is essential that we also get the chance to discuss it in the Upper House. I thank the Women of Honour and our colleague, Senator Clonan, for the work they have done in bringing us to this day. It was essential. We have a report but what we need to see is action arising from that report.