Mr. George Kerwin:

I am going to outline the key points in the establishment of the Irish United Nations Veterans Association, IUNVA, its development and its activities. I hope we can flesh out these points in the subsequent discussion.

During the late 1980s, there was a growing interest among serving and retired members of the Defence Forces in the idea of establishing an organisation that would represent those who had volunteered to serve overseas and who had made a valuable contribution to world peace. From the departure of the first Irish volunteers to the Lebanon in 1958 to 1990, more than 32,000 Irish troops have served with the United Nations in various trouble spots around the world. The first formal meeting to discuss the establishment of IUNVA was held in Dublin on 10 February 1990 and an interim committee was formed. At the first annual general meeting on 6 October 1990, held in the Eastern Health Board social club at Grangegorman, the constitution of IUNVA was ratified and the first national executive committee was elected. The constitution stated,inter alia,that the association would be non-political, non-sectarian and non-denominational. The Minister for Defence gave formal approval for the formation of the association. Membership was to be offered to any Irish citizen who had satisfactorily completed a tour of duty with a United Nations peacekeeping force or another UN-backed organisation, whether he or she was serving or retired. Hence, members of An Garda Síochána and civilian personnel who fulfilled the foregoing criteria were welcome to join IUNVA.

With a national executive established in Dublin, the next move was to establish what we called posts throughout the country. Post 1 was established in Dublin, soon to be followed by plans for posts in Dundalk, Wexford and Kildare. The early months and years of the organisation were hectic. Properties had to be found, a flag, crest and uniform designed and standing orders drawn up to ensure the proper day-to-day running of the association. Today, IUNVA has 21 posts around the country, in locations stretching from Donegal to Galway, Kerry, Cork, Wexford and throughout the midlands. These posts represent an active membership of 1,200. The families and extended families of active and deceased members who benefit from the services and activities of IUNVA also constitute quite a significant number. The pride and pleasure that members taken in their posts is there for all to see. A post is a social club, a second home, a home where the hundreds of photographs and memorabilia decorating the walls tell their own stories.

Post 1 IUNVA is located at Arbour Hill and is adjacent to the 1916 plot. I extend an invitation to all members of the joint committee to visit Post 1 to see, at first hand, exactly what I have talked about.

The aims and objectives of the association give a very good idea of the activities of its members. These objectives include: to provide an advice and counselling service for members and their families; to organise social, cultural and sporting activities for members and their families; and to establish, maintain and encourage contact with associations similarly constituted in other countries. In order to deal with the welfare needs of members and their families the association has a national welfare officer and there are also trained welfare offices in all of the posts. The advice and assistance of these officers is regularly requested and greatly valued.

IUNVA works closely with ONE and has a seat on the Defence Forces benevolent fund board. IUNVA is often the first point of contact for former members of the Defence Forces who have fallen on hard times. When a member or former member of IUNVA dies, we ensure, irrespective of his or her circumstances, that the deceased gets a proper burial which recognises the service he or she has given. To this end, IUNVA has purchased a number of plots in cemeteries throughout the country. Over half of the posts have, with the help and co-operation of their local communities, erected monuments to those who lost their lives in the cause of peace. At national level, the 93 Irishmen, which includes members of the Defence Forces, the Garda Síochána and civilians, who lost their lives while serving with the UN are commemorated at an annual wreath-laying ceremony at the IUNVA monument on Arbour Hill in May. Next year, the ceremony will be held on International Peacekeepers' Day, Sunday, 29 May, and I ask members to note that date in their diaries.

Ceremonies are an important part of our programme every year. These include national ceremonies and ceremonies organised by IUNVA, ONE, the Royal British Legion and local councils. The Irish soldier, as a peacekeeper, is second to none and his or her services will continue to be sought by the United Nations. Peacekeeping is demanding and often dangerous work. Adjusting to a normal way of life on returning home can make its own demands on individuals. For these people, IUNVA will be there. For those who do not return home, IUNVA will ensure that they will never be forgotten.