Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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57. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason he has not met a person (details supplied) who has been in regular communication with him, An Garda Síochána and others in relation to a litany of sex abuse allegations relating to boys and men in particular during their time in the Defence Forces. [48550/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Secretary General of the Department of Defence has met with the individual named on two occasions. The individual corresponds with the Department on an almost daily basis and sometimes more than once a day. The correspondence includes allegations from others as to events personal to them and not necessarily occurring in the workplace. The individual named has been informed by statutory agencies as to how certain matters should be reported. Every effort has been and is being made to address the concerns raised by him.

In recent statements, I have set out that I would like to say sorry to anyone who has suffered during their time in the Defence Forces and assure them the State will now urgently carry out an Independent Review. This sentiment is not gender specific.

I keep an open mind on meeting with any person who expresses views on any aspect of policy within my remit.