Carol Nolan Demands Stand-Alone Enquiry on Women of Honour Claims
Carol Nolan pressed the minister on whether allegations raised by the Women of Honour campaign will be fully investigated, asking for a stand-alone enquiry if the planned review and Commission report cannot address the scale of abuse. She welcomed meetings between senior Department of Defence officials and the campaign and noted that an independent review body has been established.
Main request
She asked the minister to commit to a stand-alone enquiry if the scale of abuse conveyed by the Women of Honour group cannot be addressed in a review or in the Commission on Defence Forces' report.
Meetings and review timelines
She commended the Secretary-General and senior officials of the Department of Defence for meeting the Women of Honour campaign. She noted that a review body has been set up and that the Commission on Defence Forces is expected to compile a report by the end of December.
Support measures and confidential contact
She referenced the minister for Defence and Foreign Affairs meeting the Women of Honour group, the announcement of interim support measures for current and former members affected by unacceptable workplace behaviour, and the appointment of a confidential contact person to assist serving and former members who wish to report alleged wrongdoing.
Inquiry and next steps
She asked for assurances about the next steps if the review cannot fully address the complaints, while also acknowledging the value of the inquiry process and the need to consider its conclusions before deciding further action.
Statement posture
Her remarks combined praise for the women who raised concerns with a firm request for clarity and guarantees on how allegations will be dealt with, focusing on accountability, support for victims, and the adequacy of reviews and reports.
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Teachta, page 115 of the Programme for Government refers to the Commission on Defence Forces and indeed it provides commitments that this Commission will oversee the governance or will examine governance of the Defence Forces and also examination on how it responds to its members' needs. Now I want to start by commending and welcoming the fact that the Secretary-General and indeed the senior officials of the Department of Defence met a group of courageous women who are spearheading the Women of Honour campaign and I do understand that an independent body has been set up or established, a review body, and I also understand that the Commission itself, the Commission on Defence Forces, will have a report compiled by the end of December. However, however, I want to seek assurances from yourself that if the scale of abuse conveyed by the women cannot be addressed in a review or in a report, will you commit to a stand-alone enquiry, please? The Minister for Defence and Foreign Affairs, Minister Coveney, has met with the Women for Honour group and the established independent review and also, you know, he announced interim support measures as well for current and former members of the Defence Forces who have been affected by unacceptable behaviour in the workplace. And, as I say, we have also had the appointment of a confidential contact person within that is concerned, which will be available to assist both serving and former members of the Defence Forces and will provide a safe place to support the report of alleged wrongdoing in the workplace. Now, your question is, I'm not going to preempt the inquiry itself, but I think the Women of Honour have, I think, deserve great credit. They have started a process. Inquiry is the first step. We obviously have to consider the outcome of that and its conclusions before the next step. conformin'. Thank you . . . . . . . . . . .
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