The Chair of the new Defence Forces' Tribunal has called for "anyone with knowledge or information relevant" to its inquiry into complaint processes around bullying, discrimination and sexual misconduct to make written submissions to it.
Delivering the opening statement today, Ms Justice Ann Power said that this was "an opportunity ... to participate in a fact-finding process that aims to establish the truth."
"Establishing the truth, however worrying that truth may be, is what this tribunal has been tasked to do," she said.
In particular, Ms Justice Power said that all "serving and former members of the Defence Forces, as well as civilian employees and civil servants who are working or who have worked with the Department of Defence who have knowledge or material relevant to the terms of reference to contact the tribunal at the earliest opportunity."
The hearing was told that people are being invited to submit written submissions by email or post between now and the close of business on 16 August 2024.
Ms Justice Power acknowledged that some submissions "may contain information of a highly personal and sensitive nature" and outlined the efforts the tribunal would take to ensure confidentiality, including keeping submissions secure and restricted, and that "personal or sensitive information that is not relevant to the work of the inquiry" would not be disclosed, unless required by law.
However, she said that as a public inquiry, the tribunal could not provide "any person with a guarantee of absolute confidentiality".
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Ms Justice Power also said the tribunal had been assured by the Minister for Defence and the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces that "no staff of the Defence Forces or any serving member of the Defence Forces will not be penalised by reason of their disclosure" to it.
The hearing was told that the tribunal will undertake three phases before any oral hearings is held - the investigative stage, after which evidence will be determined, and will then be served to relevant parties.
The matters being investigated span four decades from 1 January 1983 to the date of the establishment of the tribunal last Thursday 20 June 2024, taking place both within and outside the jurisdiction of the State.
The inquiry is expected to take around three years.
It is set out in its terms of reference that the tribunal is "required to endeavour to complete its work no later than three years from the date of its establishment".
Ms Justice Power said that when the motion to establish this Tribunal of Inquiry was being moved through the Dáil, "tribute was paid current and former members of the Defence Forces who served and continue to serve with honour" and it heard that "their personal courage, dignity and resilience set in motion a journey of accountability that led to the establishment of this tribunal".
"Honour is a cardinal value in the Defence Forces, it is a priceless and hard won virtue," she said.
"It means doing what is right. It means standing up for the truth, the whole truth, even if standing alone.
"Being a person of honour may at times call upon one's greatest resources of courage and contributing personal integrity.
"Telling the truth and contributing to ascertaining the full truth, particularly when it may be difficult to do so, is a fundamental aspect of honour."
The Tribunal of Inquiry will examine the effectiveness of the complaints processes in the Defence Forces concerning workplace issues relating to discrimination, bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual misconduct.
It also has the power to investigate the response to complaints made regarding the use of hazardous chemicals within Air Corps' headquarters at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel.
The establishment of the inquiry followed allegations of emotional abuse, physical torture, bullying and sexual misconduct in the Defence Forces by the Women of Honour group, and last year's report by the Independent Review Group (IRG) on dignity and equality issues in the Defence Forces.
In March 2023, that report found "deep" and "long-standing issues around unacceptable behaviours" in the Defence Forces and "a complaints handling system that was not fit for purpose".
It recommended the establishment of a statutory inquiry to identify systemic failures, if they existed, in the Defence Forces' complaints procedures.
In January, Tánaiste and Minister for Defence Micheál Martin published the terms of reference for a judge-led Tribunal of Inquiry and named Ms Justice Power as chair.
On Thursday, Mr Martin signed the Statutory Instrument that formally established the tribunal.
The Women of Honour group said that it had "high hopes" for the tribunal.
Three members of the group - Roslyn O'Callaghan, Honor Murphy and Diane Byrne - attended the opening hearing.
Speaking outside spokesperson Ms Byrne - a retired Army captain - urged people to make submissions to the tribunal.
"I would ask people to really consider coming forward because the freedom that comes from illiminating that sense of misplaced self blame or shame that people are feeling, they have no need to be feeling that.
"We really hope people take that opportunity so they can go and live their lives in piece without the weight of trauma hanging around their necks," Ms Byrne added.
She said the Women of Honour group asked for the assurances given by the Chief of Staff and the minster that there were be no reprecussions for members of the force who come forward.
"We have to take them at their word," Ms Byrne said.
She acknowledged that "over the years there has been a lot of retribution who have stood up and spoken out" but said that while "there's going to be a trust issue there, people are going to have to take a leap of faith on this."
"Now is the opportunity in a very structured process to be able to have your say and know that its (written) down on paper that you are safe," Ms Byrne said.
She added that it was "an emotional day" but was "only the starting point" and there was "a long way to go yet".
"We are very focused on the work," Ms Bryne said.
"There are so many people who have worked so hard and so long to get us here, we're standing on their shoulders at this point and so for everybody it's an emotional day."
