Mark Wall (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State. On behalf of the Labour Party, I welcome the establishment of the tribunal of inquiry. There can be no doubt, as previous speakers indicated, that its establishment has taken a long time. It is important to acknowledge what we have before us. As Members have done in this House and in the Dáil previously, we pay tribute to the Women of Honour. I welcome them into our Visitors' Gallery. There can be no doubt that it were it not for the tireless work of this group we would not be discussing this motion.

Like so many others, I, too, was horrified on that Saturday in October 2021 when the documentary on the totally and utterly unacceptable experiences of the Women of Honour was aired by Katie Hannon on RTÉ. I will always remember where I was at that moment. I was driving in a Labour Party meeting in Dublin. What I heard coming across the airwaves on that Saturday in October 2021 was absolutely unbelievable. Since then, the group has campaigned tirelessly to have the statutory inquiry put in place. I acknowledge the Defence Forces justice alliance and all the other groups involved. I also acknowledge Senator Tom Clonan. When we debated the independent review group, Senator Clonan had already done some considerable work on these issues. As he said, most of that work has been in the public domain for 25 years in the public domain. We are only seemingly acting on it now.

With regard to the inquiry, in the debate in the Dáil, Deputy Howlin raised the issue of costs. He sought a commitment that the Women of Honour group and others who have legitimately presented their cases over the years be officially represented legally at the tribunal. It is important that they be formally represented by counsel from the beginning without fear of residual legal costs. The Tánaiste has indicated that the judge will deal with this matter through the inquiry. The Tánaiste had indicated this to such groups. It is important that the commitment given be restated in this House, particularly in view of the need to ensure that we hear the testimony of all those women without fear of any residual legal costs.

There has been much commentary and concern in this House, previously and again today, about those who may wish to come forward to highlight their experiences but who are concerned that they may be barred from doing so by the terms of reference that have been set out. We are discussing that matter now and it was also discussed in the Dáil. It is a concern that many of us have shared in recent weeks and months. From talking with many who served, we are aware that there are more cases we have not already heard about and that those involved are willing to come forward.The Tánaiste put on the record in the Dáil and again in the Seanad today that those who did not make a formal complaint that any stage in their careers while working within the Defence Forces or subsequently, or who did not come forward to engage with the independent review group process, but have experiences similar to those that are now the subject matter of this tribunal, will be able to come forward and be heard by the tribunal. That is important to state once again. We all support that.

This tribunal is an opportunity to deal with the historic abuse in our Defence Forces. Nobody who has experiences similar to the many horrific experiences already discussed should be debarred from coming forward. Indeed it should be hoped that those who may not have come forward previously will now do so, secure in the knowledge that there will be a tribunal and secure in the knowledge of the bravery and courage of all those who have already made statements.

It is also important that the Minister and the Department continue to reach out, as the Tánaiste said before he left us today, with representative bodies such as PDFORRA, RACO and indeed ONE as we go towards the forthcoming inquiry. I know, from linking with them, that they have fielded a large number of inquiries in regard to the make up and terms of reference. Many will continue to seek updates from these representative bodies. It is a very important channel that is kept open. It is also important that we acknowledge the pride, as all Members who stood up here today have done, that we all have in our Defence Forces. The pride we all feel from the actions and representations of our Defence Forces both at home and abroad is unique and must at all times be protected. We are all aware of the challenges around recruitment and retention and the challenge those issues are causing to the numbers in our Defence Forces at this time. The challenge that faces the Defence Forces has been articulated by colleagues here. Indeed, the reports of the Commission on the Defence Forces outline figures that have to be achieved for the future of our Defence Forces. There is no doubt about that.

However, that is also why this inquiry is so important. It is a chance to highlight and change the culture that the Women of Honour and all other groups have so bravely highlighted; a chance for us to secure the future of our Defence Forces, free from those gross and utterly unacceptable practices of the past; a chance to ensure that the Defence Forces are a model workplace where the sorts of abuse and damage to people we have heard of never occur again. In saying that, it is also important that the Minister gives consideration to an interim report from the tribunal. This is something I would like the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence to consider. This is essential to ensure that all parties are informed of progress and timeframes as the inquiry progresses. It is also important that the Minister of State, Deputy Burke, brings this back to the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence, so that this, and such a report, and indeed updates, are discussed in both Houses. I look forward to the commencement of this inquiry and wish Justice Ann Power well in her role, in the hope of a full and transparent tribunal.

Once again I thank the Women of Honour group for its role in what we see before us today. To end, I will quote Captain Diane Byrne, who is with us in the Public Gallery. Captain Byrne, in a recent op-ed, stated that the Women of Honour believe that the tribunal, "even given its obvious flaws, is a momentous step forward" in their quest for truth, accountability and substantive change. However, they "still have a way to go" and state they "are most grateful for continued support, patience and understanding". On behalf of the Labour Party, and no doubt every Member of this House, I want to assure the Women of Honour of that in every way. We look forward to this inquiry and to co-operating with the Women of Honour and all those groups as the inquiry progresses.