Tánaiste and defence minister Micheál Martin has today published the report of the independent review group on dignity and equality issues in the Defence Forces.

Its publication follows yesterday’s Cabinet meeting in which government agreed to progress, as a priority, the report’s 14 recommendations, including:

• establishment of a statutory inquiry to investigate whether there have been serious systemic failures in dealing with individual complaints, including sexual misconduct
• setting up an External Oversight Body, on a non-statutory basis initially, to increase transparency and accountability; and to drive necessary culture change throughout the Defence Forces
• urgently reforming the existing mechanisms for making a complaint to restore faith and trust in the complaints process
• introducing legislation to:
  • establish an independent complaints mechanism for serving members of the Defence Forces;
  • establish the External Oversight Body on a statutory basis; and
  • amend the Defence Act, 1954 to provide that all allegations of rape or aggravated sexual assault in the Defence Forces in the State will be referred to An Garda Síochána for investigation. Prior to the introduction of the legislation the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence has requested the chief of staff to communicate to Commanding Officers that this is to be implemented with immediate effect
• a significant programme of reform and culture change delivered by external experts, with measures to eradicate reprisals and retaliation, and develop new policies on gender, inclusion and diversity

Mr Martin said: “This report is a watershed moment. While it correctly acknowledges the high regard in which the Defence Forces is held, and its decades of peacekeeping roles, it nonetheless, signals the critical need for fundamental and immediate cultural change which goes to the very heart of issues relating to dignity and mutual respect.

“Bullying, misogynistic behaviour, and any form of sexual misconduct is simply unacceptable, and has no place in a 21st century workplace.”

He added: “I also want to thank the Women of Honour, and Men and Women of Honour, who have done so much to raise awareness of these issues.

“I will be progressing a comprehensive programme of immediate actions to address the extremely serious shortcomings identified in this report.

“As minister for defence, I, and the government are absolutely determined that this report must be, and will be, the catalyst for transformation of Ireland’s Defence Forces.”