Cathal Berry (Kildare South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is good to hear it. Having worked in the healthcare profession, I know that the Defence Forces gender balance is infinitely better than the nursing profession or midwifery, for instance. So while it is an issue, we should not be army bashing and exclaiming that the stats are so low. We have to bear in mind that other armed forces across the world are not as army-heavy. Our Air Corps and Naval Service are very small. Not only that, but the Army is infantry-heavy. Many female members of the Defence Forces, both serving and retired, asked me to ask people who come before the committee one thing: will those in authority put crèches into the naval base in Haulbowline, the barracks in the Curragh and Baldonnel? Then we will see logistically the stats will improve. Bear in mind as well that while 7% of those in the Permanent Defence Force are female, it is much higher in the Army bands and in the Reserve Defence Force. The reason is their work schedule is much more predictable. They are not told they are going overseas at two days’ notice. There are logistical reasons as well for this.

I have a couple final points. Command and control has been raised a few times. Again, having worked in other areas, I am aware that everybody has a manager. I worked in healthcare. You know who the registrar is and you sure as hell know who the consultant or professor is. A command and control system is not unique to the Defence Forces. It is always portrayed that there is a unique command and control system in the Defence Forces but it is very similar to any other hierarchical organisation.

I wish to double on what the good Senator said about the chaotic turnover. Chaotic is a good way to describe it. When I went to McKee Barracks, we had the same management for three years. He was there every single day and there was a deputy adjutant who would step in. The adjutant is the personnel officer in a unit. Now it is like “Who is the adjutant today?” “Well, you were on in the morning and I am on in the afternoon.” That is how ad hoc things have become. If the turnover is chaotic, the results are chaotic as well.

Last, I note it is written in the IRG report that the incidence of unacceptable behaviour is higher in the Defence Forces than in other sectors. I still wonder what the basis of that is. A more specific question is whether there has been a judge-led inquiry in any other sector and going into such forensic detail. I do not mean to identify the professor or anything, but he was president of DCU for ten years. If there was a judge-led inquiry into what went on in DCU with the student body and staff over a ten-year period, would the results be any different? If they would not be any different, would he do it and see? We are not comparing like with like here. If the IRG report judge-led inquiry is stating that on the basis of what it found, the incidence is much higher in the Defence Forces, then surely we should have a comparator in another sector.

That is my only contribution. I have found this a very useful exercise. I wish the witnesses the best of luck. They have our full support. If we can assist in any way, we are available to do so.