The Women of Honour Group has welcomed the Micheál Martin’s decision to recommend a full inquiry into alleged abuse in the Defence Forces. 

The group said it spoke with the Tánaiste on Thursday, who confirmed he would recommend a full public tribunal of inquiry to cabinet on Tuesday. 

Mr Martin also confirmed he would not include the terms of reference for an inquiry unless they have been approved by the Women of Honour. 

Retired Army Captain Diane Byrne said the meeting with the Tánaiste was “constructive”. 

“Overall, we were pleased with how the meeting went and the stance he’s taking at the moment,” she said. 

“That's the first hurdle for us that we really needed to achieve.” 

Terms of reference

The Women of Honour said discussions are ongoing to agree on the terms of reference for the tribunal of inquiry.  

It is understood negotiations will continue throughout the summer, with the final terms of reference being submitted to Government in September if an agreement is reached. 

The Women of Honour previously said the Defence Forces need to be overhauled in an “informed and structured way” rather than a “knee-jerk reaction to the current climate”. 

02/05/2023 Dublin, Ireland. Women of Honour. Pictured outside Government Buildings today are Honor Murphy, Diane Byrne, Yvonne O'Rourke and Roslyn Callaghan, after their meeting with Tanaiste Micheal Martin. Photograph: Sasko Lazarov / RollingNews.ie

It criticised a previous Review Group into the Defence Forces, saying it “didn’t investigate anything” and “did not include the necessary issues”. 

“The Department of Defence needs to be investigated by a tribunal of inquiry and have no place deciding on the terms of reference,” it said.   

“In simple terms, the terms of reference need to look at all the football pitch. If, as proposed by the Government, in any match we only look at what happens inside the centre circle it would be a pointless exercise. 

“Everything on the pitch needs to be looked at.”