Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his work on this legislation, as I know he has pioneered it. I also thank his officials in the Department who are responsible for bringing it to fruition.

Fianna Fáil made it clear throughout that it had no interest in opposing the Bill. I hope that in the course of our contributions we managed to put in context the reasons the severe sanctions were imposed on Army deserters at the time. The Minister would not want to see widespread desertion from the Defence Forces at any stage. At the time the penalties were understandable and, with the benefit of hindsight more than 70 years on, we realise the need to take action. We hope the survivors, their families and relatives and those directly affected take some consolation in the initiative taken by the Minister and the Houses of the Oireachtas. I hope the broader membership of those who fought in the Second World War against tyranny and the horrendous regime of the Nazis will take some consolation in the words of support and recognition from all sides of the House during the debate. We can take a bow on this issue.

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