Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Grealish for raising this, and I understand he has some of his colleagues with him in the House. The matter of awarding medals to the men of A Company was raised in a letter to a newly appointed Chief of Staff and he asked the original medals board to reconvene and review its decision. The board indicated that the issues raised had received consideration and that it was not prepared to alter its findings.

On the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the siege of Jadotville the Minister of State at the Department of Defence, Deputy Kehoe, took the decision to honour the collective actions and bravery of the men of A Company and issue a unit citation. This was the first time that a unit citation was awarded within the Defence Forces to recognise formally the brave actions of these men. The Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe, hosted an occasion in Custume Barracks in Athlone on 17 September last at which the unit citation was presented to the company in respect of its collective heroism and professional performance during the siege of Jadotville while cut off from support and reinforcements. A specially commissioned insignia will also be provided to the members and the next of kin of deceased members of A Company in the coming weeks. These are rewards that are used internationally by other military forces to recognise units that have served with particular distinction or heroism. The Minister of State is satisfied that the award of a unit citation and the associated specially commissioned insignia properly honours the collective bravery of the men of A Company, 35th Infantry Battalion.

On 19 December last, the Minister of State was in Renmore Barracks with Deputy Grealish and other Members of the Oireachtas and he met students of the fifth year history class of Galway community college. He was impressed by the interest and knowledge of the students about the events at Jadotville in 1961. Since then, the Minister of State has written to the students outlining his reason for awarding a unit citation and insignia as a means of formal recognition of the collective bravery and outstanding performance of the men of A Company. I have a letter I received from Galway community college and I commend Alanna O'Reilly, Stefan Madalin, Wiktoria Gorczyca and Patrick Lenehan, on behalf of the fifth year students in Galway community college, on the way they wrote it.

Deputy Grealish made a particular point in respect of Commandant Pat Quinlan, his bravery and the fact his actions saved lives at the time. I will have the matter examined. I will talk to the Chief of Staff but I will not give the Deputy a guarantee. The Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe, has examined the matter and he said the insignia and unit citation are in accordance with the practice of military forces in other countries for recognising bravery and courage in the face of attack. I will have the matter examined and I will report back to the House.

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