A report into allegations of rape, sexual harassment and bullying in the Defence Forces will be a “watershed moment”, Tánaiste Micheál Martin is understood to have said.
The Women of Honour group met with Mr Martin, who is also the Minister of Defence, on Monday afternoon.
An independent external review will go to Cabinet on Tuesday morning and is expected to be published thereafter.
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The Women of Honour’s stories first came to light in an RTÉ Radio documentary in 2021. It revealed allegations of sexual abuse, harassment and rape within the Defence Forces.
Former Minister for Defence Simon Coveney set up an independent review group in January 2021 to assess the culture and structure within the Defence Forces.
It will be published on Tuesday, but the women affected were not shown a copy of the report or given details at its meeting with Mr Martin.
Honor Murphy, a former petty officer in the Naval Service and a member of the Women of Honour, told the Irish Mirror that the Government must set up a statutory inquiry to assess their claims.
She explained: “It was more of a courtesy meeting and we didn't get eyes on the report.
“We are told it will go to Government [on Tuesday] and we’ll get a hard copy.
“The positive out of it is that all of the recommendations will be implemented. We’re just hoping that in those recommendations there is a statutory inquiry.
“[The Tánaiste] gave no indication at all if that was going to be the case and we did push. He told us he wants to meet us again very soon, maybe next week.
“At least we're being engaged with now when we're going to be hopefully part of the process. “We are slightly hopeful but we’re just hoping he’ll stick to his word and the statutory inquiry will be in the recommendations. We’ll be devastated if it is not.
“He did say it's going to be a watershed moment and the public will be very taken aback by what is in the report.”
Karina Molloy, who retired from the Defence Forces in 2012 following a 31-year stint, suggested that Mr Martin said he was taken aback by some of the submissions.
“He was very engaging,” she told the Irish Mirror.
“He said that it was hard-hitting and far-reaching and he will try and get the Government to implement all of the recommendations.
“We would not feel vindicated if a statutory inquiry is not recommended by the Government.
“He did say he was very, very taken aback by the language that was used against females in the Defence Forces,
“He found it very stark and a hard read.”
Speaking in the Dáil last week, Mr Martin said the allegations were “shocking and disgraceful”.
He said: “This report is very far-reaching and goes to the core of much that was wrong in terms of workplace dignity and safety and in terms of behaviour. It is comprehensive.
“A very significant range of recommendations are being made coming out of that report.”
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