Mr. Derek Ryan:

The Permanent Defence Force is not running for election every few years. It is a huge family and with State help we could organise ourselves for health insurance purposes. The appropriate supports should be included in the covenant to assist the transition from military life to civilian life. I spoke about a support post-service to involve an obligation for life to reflect the commitment and sacrifices made by the veterans and their families during service as well as their continuing value to society. This should be properly recognised in the support they receive but that is not the case at the moment. Those injured who have service-related health conditions should receive additional support, which may be financial or access to the appropriate social services. They should get some priority. The services exist but my experience is that some people have fallen through the cracks, between the Irish United Nations Veterans Association and our organisation, and have ended up in early graves.

Bereaved families should be included in any discussions post-service. The State has failed abjectly and miserably in respect of families of those who have died in State service because of its bureaucracy, not through wanton malice in any State organisation. I know families of deceased members have had problems when trying to interact with the State. Most recently we were part of the Justice for Smallhorne and Barrett campaign, for two of our comrades who were unlawfully killed while on UN service. There was a lacuna between the Defence Forces and the State in advocating the return of the person accused to Lebanon. The veterans mobilised.

We want formal recognition by the State of veterans, whether reservists or others. In the United Kingdom when people apply for State services there is a box to be ticked if the person is a veteran or has military service. I am assured that when people apply for State services in Ireland they should be added as a criterion to give somebody a bit of credit for time and service given to the State.

Deputy McFadden asked what this committee can do for us. The answer is money, money, money.