Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire ar dtús báire agus cuirim fáilte roimh an deis na ráitis tábhachtacha seo a phlé inniu. A few weeks ago the Dáil also debated the report from the independent review group that reviewed the dignity and equality issues in the Defence Forces and its treatment of its personnel, male and female but in particular female members. The comments in the Dáil debate, from seasoned, experienced and I am not saying that in an unkind way, case-hardened elected representatives, is alarming in itself. I thought it would help us to focus today’s debate in the Seanad if I gave a flavour of that debate. Before I do, I would like to make a few general observations which are basic and would strike most people, I hope, as a common-sense response to this very disturbing report.

How could abuse on the scale detailed in the report, especially of female personnel, take place under the different command levels of the Defence Forces over a period of nearly 20 years? How could abuse on this scale escape the attention of many Governments, many Ministers of Defence and officials of the Department of Defence during this long period? The Defence Forces and their personnel are one of the most cherished, valued and respected institutions of this State, and rightly so, as other colleagues have said. The personnel of the Defence Forces have served the State on peacekeeping missions throughout the world with distinction and outstanding bravery and dedication. Yet the independent report reveals a cesspool of physical, sexual and emotional abuse of the very people who have rightly been described so admirably here in Ireland and in many parts of the military and political world.

Incredible though it may seem, it is not at all surprising that faced with such a dysfunctional, inhuman regime, the authors of the independent report should state that the Defence Forces are not a safe place for its personnel. The very institution which has the lives of millions of people in this State in its hands, to protect them, cannot in the first instance protect its personnel from rapists, sexual predators, torturers and abusers within its own ranks.

The independent report is before us because of the bravery and determination of the women known as the Women of Honour, as well as those who supported them and believed in them in their own families and inside the Defence Forces. It is before us because of the work of our colleague, Senator Clonan, who first published a report in 2000, that is, 23 years ago. I look forward to Senator Clonan’s contribution today. In his report he showed that one in four women serving in the Defence Forces had been subjected to sexual abuse. On the back of that report a Government study review group was set up in 2003 by then Minister, Michael Smith. Katie Hannon's documentary "Women of Honour", which was broadcast in September 2021 was ground-breaking and compelling. The issues raised could no longer be ignored. On several occasions over many years, Sinn Féin Deputies raised this issue. In February 2022, my colleague, Deputy Clarke, brought a motion to the Dáil calling on the Government to establish a full statutory inquiry in allegations of abuse. Why did alarm bells not ring in the heads of the commanders of the Defence Forces in 2000, 2003 and 2022? Why did alarm bells not ring in the heads of the Taoiseach and other Government Ministers with responsibility in 2000, 2003 and 2022?

I note some of the alarming comments from the Dáil debate last month, some of which were from the Tánaiste himself. They stated the findings are stark, shocking, shameful and disgusting, referred to "horrific abuse of both men and women"; and stated "the experience of many women in particular within the Defence Forces has been truly appalling".

A line from the report states that the Defence Forces "barely tolerates women". Another comment in the Dáil debate was, "It details the deliberate, orchestrated, repeated and systemic abuse of power that crossed a line to abuse, assault, humiliate, dehumanise and strip people of their dignity, safety, in many cases their careers and, most likely in some cases, their lives." Another Deputy stated, "Bullying, harassment, intimidation, discrimination, assault and rape - what is hazing if not a form of torture?"

Another speaker quoted one of the Women of Honour, Yvonne O’Rourke, who had told TheIrish Times:

We need a statutory inquiry like no other... I like to think of it as a David and Goliath moment ... We need this inquiry to fire a slingshot and bring about ... much-needed change and transformation ... The question remains - will our voices finally be heard and will the silence that so many of us held on to for so many years in the past, due to the crippling shame that the experience of being sexually abused and discriminated against bestowed on us, finally be removed? Is this really a watershed moment?

She asks, "will our voices finally be heard"?”

Who in this Chamber with the real power to answer that question can do so with conviction and certainty?We saw the Government's response to the mother and baby homes inquiry and the bitter disappointment of those who had the harrowing experience of being detained in one of those institutions. The Dáil was unanimous in its outrage, condemnation and support of the valuable report and its authors. I welcome the Tánaiste's announcement and the Government's decision to set up a statutory inquiry, an external independent complaints process, an external oversight body and a legal mechanism for sexual assault allegations to be investigated by An Garda Síochána. However, what possible credible explanation can the Government give to defend the presence of the Secretary General of the Department of Defence as a full-time member of the external oversight body of the Defence Forces? No one associated with the Defence Forces, with the Government or associated bodies with a vested interest should be anywhere near this inquiry. The report was the product of independent-minded people. The inquiry must meet the test of Yvonne O’Rourke and the Women of Honour; a statutory inquiry like no other. I do not believe that is too much to ask. I hope it will turn out to be precisely that.