Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 3: To ask the Minister for Defence if, further to his commissioning of an Army inquiry into the events at Niemba, Congo on 8 November 1960, preliminary findings have been made; when the full report of the inquiry will be made available to Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32433/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, I undertook during Priority Questions on Thursday, 23 February 2006 to ask the military authorities to revisit this matter in light of the questions raised by him on that date.

The Chief of Staff appointed a senior officer to examine all aspects of the Niemba ambush in the Congo in November 1960. Due to the diversity of this investigation, this process has taken some time. I understand that, in the course of his examination, the officer interviewed both survivors and also contacted other interested parties both at home and abroad.

I have been informed by the Chief of Staff that the report is being finalised and I hope to receive the final version by the end of this week. I will then study its contents and, in particular, its findings and recommendations prior to deciding what action should be taken.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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I thank the Minister for his response. I have a number of detailed questions. Is the Minister satisfied that the official Army version of the Niemba massacre, which shows that nine members of an 11-man Irish patrol died that day, will be upheld by the inquiry? If not, will the Minister explain to the House why the Army's version of events, which has been shown to be wrong in the recent excellent book, The Irish Army in the Congo, 1960-1964: The Far Battalions, by Dr. David O'Donoghue, has been allowed to remain uncorrected for almost half a century? If, as now seems likely, the Army inquiry finds that eight men died at Niemba and that a ninth, Trooper Anthony Browne, died three miles away some days later in another incident, will the Minister correct the statement he made to the House in this regard earlier this year?

Will the Minister also consider reviewing the Army's treatment of the two Niemba survivors, Mr. Tom Kenny and Mr. Joe Fitzpatrick, who claim their good names have been impugned as a result of the Army's incorrect history of the Niemba incident? As regards the broader issue, we need to be very sensitive towards the serving and former members of the Defence Forces and the families of these men.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy Finian McGrath is somewhat premature with some of those questions. He is asking whether I will correct the official version if the report finds that it is incorrect. I have not read the report yet, as it has not come to hand. I do not want to anticipate what is in it. If the report points out that the official version is wrong, of course we will deal with it. If I said anything incorrect on the record of the Dáil, I will be more than happy to correct it. We will study the report in that regard. Any complaints the two men have as regards their treatment or alleged treatment by the Army can be brought to my personal attention. They have brought a few matters to my attention and we have been in touch with them. Before I comment in detail on what the report will reveal, I would like an opportunity to read it first. I am sure the Deputy can understand that point.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Is the Minister satisfied that the inquiry which is being carried out has been very detailed and professional?

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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It has been a very detailed and diverse professional inquiry. That is why it has taken up to eight months.