Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Tánaiste to the Chamber. I commend all those who took part by giving testimony and evidence as part of this report, and acknowledge the work of all those involved in the formulation of the report. The most important work now begins with the implementation of the statutory review that is to take place. I acknowledge the work and decisions taken by the Government in terms of the statutory inquiry, the setting up of the external oversight body and the reform of the existing mechanisms for making a complaint. Finally, I acknowledge the introduction of legislation, which is planned. That includes the establishment of an oversight body and the amending of the Defence Act 1954 so that allegations of rape or aggravated sexual assault in the Defence Forces would be referred to An Garda Síochána. These are all important steps being taken by the Government.

On the timing of the complaints, it is worth noting that 44% referred to complaints that were made ten years ago; 16% in the last five to ten years; 15% in the last two to five years; 12% in a period of between six months and 24 months; 5% in the last six months; and 8% relate to ongoing experiences so this is an issue that is with us now. This matter is not entirely historical but is ongoing in some cases of sexual harassment and abuse. It is also worth noting that 83% of respondents reported experiencing bullying by a person of a higher rank.

I enjoyed, to a degree, the RTÉ programme "Ultimate Hell Week - The Professionals", which was broadcast last autumn. I do not know whether the Tánaiste saw any of the programme, and I am not sure whether it is a true reflection of training at certain levels within the Defence Forces, but I know I would not cut the mustard from a physical point of view. The authoritarian or hierarchical nature of the training was quite evident and graphic in the programme. I know there is a need to promote the importance of rank and obeying orders, and superiors, but that is no excuse whatsoever for the alleged occurrence of victimisation and sexual harassment, as outlined, in the IRG report.

Eighty-six per cent of the alleged perpetrators were reported as being male. That is probably not a surprise in what, I think, would be a male-dominated profession. Seventy-nine per cent of the alleged reported incidents had bystanders present. Again, that would be reflective of people either being complicit or feeling they would be impacted themselves were they to intervene, according to my reading of the matter, and this is a concern as well.

Again, I acknowledge all of the people who took part in the review and gave testimony. I also acknowledge the decisions of the Government. It is important that the Women of Honour, and the Men and Women of Honour, have confidence in the terms of reference that will be agreed and put to the Cabinet, and will lead to a motion being brought before both Houses. It is important that people have confidence in the terms of reference because the last thing that the Government needs, and indeed any government needs, is for a process to be put in place only for a number of people to say suddenly that it does not go far enough and that they want an input in the terms of reference to change them and have a greater say or whatever. Therefore, it is important to get the process right from the start. I imagine that the Government wants to do this in order to limit the chance of people being unhappy with the process.

Senator Craughwell, as a former member of the Defence Forces, has expressed concerns. There are, to use the phrase, "bad uns" in every profession, including our own. As we know, every profession has people who have done wrong and will do wrong in the future. Certainly the reputation of whole groups cannot or should not be tarnished but we must recognise the strong testimonies made by people, as reported, who have expressed their evidence and given their views of what happened to them. We must start to believe, investigate and root out anybody who is involved in illegal activities or issues that should be investigated by An Garda Síochána.