Tom Clonan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

In the context of the commitment to zero tolerance for violence against women, as a matter of priority, the Tánaiste and the Secretary General of the Department of Defence should immediately amend these paragraphs of the Defence Forces Regulation, DFR, A7, in that membership of the Defence Forces, in cases of violence against women, should not be a mitigating factor. It should be an aggravating factor in sentencing and in consideration of offences of that nature.

I again commend Natasha O'Brien on her courage and the manner in which she has spoken out for all women because there is a persistent and profound problem with violence against women in Irish society and throughout our culture. The Defence Forces are in the process of attempting to address that with the statutory inquiry set up last week by the Tánaiste. I ask that there be no delay in this. It also should be noted that the individual concerned bears no responsibility for being instructed or required under military law to carry out his functions. Most of all, justice in regard to that member of the Naval Services and other members of the Defence Forces, as the Minister of State highlighted, under regulation A10, paragraph 59, should be done expeditiously, without any delay.