Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle and the Minister of State, Deputy Browne, for taking this Adjournment debate. The Kildare Town Ex-Service Men and Women's Association is a group of approximately 35 to 40 retired ex-service personnel. In total, those men and women have given approximately 750 to 900 years' service to the Army on behalf of the State. Their service has seen them represent their country with distinction in many parts of the world, including the Congo, Cyprus, Lebanon and Iraq. In total, they had 66 overseas UN service missions, 17 to the Congo, 20 to Cyprus, 28 to Lebanon and one to Iraq. They acknowledge the work of other organisations and representative bodies and have no problem with them. However, they feel that they would be best served by an organisation for ex-members in their own area.

They are already involved in many social and community activities and recognised by their local community for their continued good work and assistance. Those activities include fundraising for many worthy local and individual cases and assisting local community projects and causes of which they are rightly proud. The reason for the Adjournment debate is that they feel left out given the fact that in all the years they have represented their members and their community, they have received official recognition on only two occasions, when the Taoiseach invited two of their members to ceremonial celebrations in Kilmainham.

Given the wonderful service that each and every one of those people has given to the State, and as ambassadors of the State and Army on overseas duties, why have they received so little recognition? I recently attended our annual commemorative Mass and wreath-laying ceremony and the wonderful turnout from the local community showed how much the people of Kildare appreciate the work the group has carried out and continues to carry out. After the Mass and wreath-laying ceremony, the group held a social function where it presented several cheques to projects and groups from the local community following many fundraising and voluntary efforts. In a confidential capacity, it also provides financial support for families, especially from the Defence Forces, that may require it.

Last night, I attended the group's monthly meeting. It was gratifying and humbling to listen to the letters of thanks and congratulation read out by the group from the various organisations, families and individuals that had received support from the organisation over the year. However, the one defining issue that hurts this voluntary group more than anything is the total lack of recognition from the Department and the Defence Forces for which they served without fear or favour for most of their adult lives.

When one considers what these ex-servicemen and ex-servicewomen have achieved in forming a group to cater for discussion, debate and social inclusion, and, most importantly, to provide invaluable service to the local community, the least they might be afforded is a degree of recognition. It is stated that a little recognition goes a long way and I know how much the latter would mean to the group in question, which, despite its wonderful service, feels discriminated against. Its request for recognition and to be invited to the many parades organised by the Army and the Government would go a long way towards erasing that view.

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