Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Berry. I welcome Private Kedian's comrades who are here today. I had the pleasure and honour of meeting them earlier this morning. I thank the Deputy for his continued advocacy on behalf of our Defence Forces, both serving and retired. It is important that we all remember the sacrifice Private Kedian gave for his country and the UN on a peacekeeping mission in south Lebanon. He lost his life - it was the ultimate sacrifice - in protecting his own comrades. That is the type of bravery in service to which I referred in my previous response. We should respect, and this Government does, our Defence Forces, both serving and retired. The terrible loss for Private Kedian's family and friends and his community is still felt, I have no doubt, to this day.

The Defence Forces have been central to Irish foreign policy and our record as a nation strongly committed to a rules-based international order. Irish soldiers, through their dedication and professionalism, have made an honourable and internationally-recognised contribution to United Nations peacekeeping efforts, which they continue to do to this day.

However, as we were very recently reminded, unfortunately, this work is not without risk. I recognise that the awarding of medals is a very sensitive and important issue for many people. There is, as Deputy Berry outlined, a deliberative process around the awarding of medals, which are awarded to members of the Defence Forces on the basis of various criteria such as length of service, service overseas and, in this instance, acts of bravery at home or abroad. From discussing this particular former member of the Defence Forces, Billy Kedian, and what happened to him and his comrades, he demonstrated such bravery associated with service. Regulation A9 sets out the qualifying criteria. There is a time-bound provision. I know that the Tánaiste in his previous role, as well as now, has examined how we could make sure, through the independent review group for Jadotville, for argument's sake, that proper recognition was made both posthumously and for those who still remained who fought so bravely in the Congo so many years ago. I assure the Deputy, Private Kedian's colleagues and Senator Craughwell, who has also been advocating on his behalf, that I will raise this matter directly with the Tánaiste. He has asked the Chief of Staff to consider a review of the medals process, particularly in the context of the recommendations of the independent review group on Jadotville.

I am glad that Deputy Berry raised this matter today. I fully understand the importance of it for Private Kedian's family, his comrades and his community.

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