Defence Forces
Dail Éireann — 2023-06-20
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Micheál Martin (FF), Cork South-Central

The terms of reference were predominantly drafted in line with the IRG's recommendations. That group was led by Mr. Justice O'Hanlon. We drafted the terms of reference. That is my responsibility. We shared them with all the groups, including Women of Honour and Men and Women of Honour. They came back with suggested amendments. We met to discuss those. There will be further engagement in respect of the terms of reference, which are very broad. I do not believe they are too narrow.
The issue with transparency is whether there is a commission of inquiry where the disposition is to be more in camera and the judge can opt to go public in certain situations or if there is a full tribunal of inquiry, which is disposed to be more public, although the judge can opt to go in camera to hear evidence from people. I have shared the pros and cons of both approaches with Women of Honour in particular and with other groups. My concern is to facilitate the maximum participation in the inquiry. We have to weigh up which model is optimal for people coming forward. I want the maximum number of people coming forward. There can be conflicts or different perspectives, but I am very alive to those. On the other hand, it would not have been acceptable to completely ignore the representative organisations of the Defence Forces, for example. I found the perspective of the women currently serving in the Defence Forces very insightful.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2023-06-20/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:52:02+00:00
Sitting date: 2023-06-20