Members of the Women of Honour group have met with the President Michael D. Higgins this morning.
A statement from Áras an Uachtaráin said the President "commended them for sharing their experiences with the public, which will have given citizens, women and men, courage in coming forward with reports of abuse and inappropriate behaviour."
Women of Honour, a group of former Defence Forces members who have brought forward allegations of abuse, harassment and discrimination in the military, have been pushing for a full statutory inquiry.
Minister for Defence Simon Coveney has established a judge-led independent review to examine the issues raised by the women, which the group has criticised over its lack of powers to compel witnesses.
Mr Coveney said that he has a lot of admiration for the Women of Honour group and he has met them and other stakeholders who have concerns.
Speaking to RTÉ's News at One, he said the review will conclude in the next six to nine months and will outline the kind of changes that are needed to protect women, and others, in the Defence Forces in terms of bullying and harassment.
He added that the judge has also been asked to examine how historical cases are dealt with and said a commission of enquiry in relation to historical cases has not been ruled out.
