Tom Clonan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to quote Ms Justice Ann Power from the opening statement of the tribunal of inquiry into the Defence Forces, which covers issues of discrimination, harassment, bullying, sexual harassment, sexual assault and rape of male and female members of Óglaigh na hÉireann. It is a culture that promotes class discrimination, promotes discrimination on the basis of sex and sexual orientation and has shockingly high levels of sexual assault and rape. She made a powerful quote:

Honour is a cardinal [virtue] in the Defence Forces ... It means doing what is right ... [and] standing up for the truth, the whole truth, even if [it means] standing alone.

I have to say this again. I started my PhD as a young officer in 1996. Twenty-eight years ago, I set out very clearly in a published thesis that there were shockingly high levels of sexual violence, sexual assault and rape in our Defence Forces. The military authorities and Ministers have known about this for almost 30 years. In 20 of those years, I faced retribution and reprisal from my former colleagues from that community. My family faced retribution and reprisal up until even recently with the publication of the independent review group’s report, which described Defence Forces' culture as one that barely tolerates women and regards them as being less than human.

Let no Member of these Houses stand up and say that this is a case of a few rotten apples. That is gaslighting. It is a systemic and systematic toxic post-colonial culture.

I refer to anybody who suggests otherwise, despite all the inquiries, research, independent and government inquiries, study review group, independent monitoring groups and independent review group.To deny the truth is to denigrate the service of people like me and other survivors. I was alone. However, yesterday, at the beginning of that tribunal of inquiry, I was accompanied by Rosalyn O'Callaghan, Diane Byrne and Honor Murphy, all Women of Honour. Today we are joined in this House by Natasha O'Brien, another Woman of Honour. We have to all work together to eradicate this culture which is a microcosm of a broader problem in society and a profound and persistent problem of violence against women and girls in our society.

I will end by saying, Ms Justice Ann Power asked everybody, whether retired or serving, who has any knowledge of any of those phenomena in the Defence Forces to please come forward. They have until 16 August to make a submission through info@toidf.ie. It is really important.

The judge got a written assurance from the Chief of Staff and from the Minister of Defence that there will be no more retribution or reprisal against people like me, the Women of Honour and everybody else who comes forward. I say to those in the Defence Forces community, retired or serving, enough with the reprisal, no more trolling online, no more false rumours and character assassination, and no more bullying people and targeting people because they have come forward with the truth. Let the truth be out in all of its unvarnished reality, be it negative or positive.